Scientific rheometer used to study the mechanical properties of biological materials in the micrometer range
Read moreRotational device that enables multidirectional tweezer measurements at high forces
Read moreMeasuring the contractile forces of cells to the underlying substrate
Read moreTechnique to estimate the migration speed of different cell lines on 2D substrates
Read moreMany cell types in our body are subjected to deformation or mechanical forces. These mechanical signals play important roles in many fundamental cell functions, exert multipe effects and thereby regulating important processes. In ordert o investigate the mechanical response of cells to uniaxial stretch we use a cell stretching device wich was kindly given by the Forschungszentrum Jülich. Cells are seeded on an flexible PDMS-membrane and are stretched by a stepper motor wich is connected to one side oft the chamber.
Reorientation of mouse embrionic fibroblasts during 1 hour of stretch. Image was taken before and after stretch. The stretch was horizontaly applied while cells reoriented perpendicular to the stretching direction in order to establish an optimal internal stress through accumulation of stress fibers in orientations that avoid rapid changes in length.