Microsystems for biomechanical measurements.
The use of microtechnology to make biomechanical measurements allows for the study of cellular and subcellular scale mechanical forces. Forces generated by cells are in the few nanoNewton to several microNewton range and can change spatially over subcellular size scales. Transducing forces at such small size and force scales is a challenging task. Methods of microfabrication developed in the integrated circuit industry have allowed researchers to build platforms with cellular and subcellular scale parts with which individual cells can interact. These parts act as transducers of stresses and forces generated by the cell during migration or in the maintenance of physical equilibrium. Due to the size and sensitivity of such devices, quantitative studies of single cell and even single molecule biomechanics have become possible. In this review we focus on two classes of cellular force transducers: silicon-based devices and soft-polymer platforms. We concentrate on the biomechanical discoveries made with these devices and less so on the engineering behind their development because this is covered in great detail elsewhere.
Norman
James J
JJ
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jjnorman@stanford.edu
Mukundan
Vikram
V
Bernstein
Daniel
D
Pruitt
Beth L
BL
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*