title: A novel method for low load friction testing on living cells.
abstract: A low load tribology technique for studying the effects of friction on living cells was developed. Results show a direct relationship between the coefficient of friction (COF) and the extent of cell damage. The COF, mu, for a glass pin on an intact layer of human corneal epithelial cells is determined to be on the order of mu = 0.05 +/- 0.02 (n = 16). The correlations between applied normal load and extent of cell damage, as well as between number of reciprocation cycles and cell damage, are reported. It is also found that cell damage can occur when a loading force as low as 0.5 mN is applied, although the cells appear to be intact.
authors: J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors: Jessica A
authors: JA
authors: Cobb
authors: Alison C
authors: AC
authors: Dunn
authors: Jiwoon
authors: J
authors: Kwon
authors: Malisa
authors: M
authors: Sarntinoranont
authors: W Gregory
authors: WG
authors: Sawyer
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Tran-Son-Tay
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology*; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D013314:Stress, Mechanical