Dresden 2006 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 27: Cell Mechanics II

AKB 27.4: Talk

Friday, March 31, 2006, 12:15–12:30, ZEU 260

Cell spreading as a viability test for cells deformed in the Microfluidic Optical Stretcher — •Franziska Wetzel, Brian Lincoln, Jochen Guck, and Josef Käs — Universität Leipzig, Fakultät für Physik und Geowissenschaften, Abteilung Physik der weichen Materie, Linnestrasse 5, 04103 Leipzig

A Microfluidic Optical Stretcher (MOS) is a two-beam laser trap where individual suspended cells are deformed by optical forces on the cell surface. The MOS can be used to distinguish and sort cells. To enable subsequent analysis it is essential that the cells are not damaged during this process. Therefore we investigated the impact of optical stretching using cell spreading which, being an active actin- and myosin-dependent process accomplished only by vital cells, is an ideal indicator for viability. Powers and duration times in a range typical for stretch experiments were applied on NIH/3T3 cells (mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line). Ambient temperature was set to 37^∘C to keep cells as close to culture conditions as possible. In the talk we will show that cells can spread after the application of optomechanical stress. Conclusively, cells remain viable in the MOS and, in consequence, the MOS can be used to sort cells (e.g. stem cells) for further analysis or culture.