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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 7: Posters: Cell adhesion, mechanics and migration

BP 7.3: Poster

Montag, 31. März 2014, 17:30–19:30, P3

A Novel Method for Traction Force Microscopy and first Applications — •Benedikt Sabass^1,2 and Ulrich S. Schwarz² — ¹Princeton University — ²University of Heidelberg

We present a new and simple method to measure three-dimensional forces exerted by cells on flat elastic substrates. Traction force microscopy is a well-established technique for two-dimensional mapping of forces. However, the reconstruction of three-dimensional surface forces has been hampered by the difficulty to obtain reliable measurements of the vertical deformation of the substrate. The new method avoids this problem and only requires a standard experimental setup with a confocal microscope. We explain the mathematical background of our approach and describe the experiment. Advantages and disadvantages of the method are exemplified with simulated data. Finally, we discuss measurements that demonstrate the presence of weak out-of-plane forces in the case of adhering fibroblasts.