SKM 2023 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 28: Poster Session II

BP 28.58: Poster

Thursday, March 30, 2023, 18:00–20:00, P2/EG

Optical Stretcher for Adherent Cells — •Alexander Janik, Tobias Neckernuß, and Othmar Marti — Institute of Experimental Physics, Ulm University

The characterization of cellular viscoelastic properties by utilizing the interface force arising from a laser beam shining through the cell has proven to be a valuable method for suspended cells, e.g. red blood cells.

The work presented here is based on the same phenomenon. A laser locally pulls the membrane of an adherent cell upwards, while the displacement is detected by off-axis interferometry. In proof-of-concept measurements, it is shown, that this contact-free method is sensitive enough to determine the complex shear modulus of stiff adherent NIH-3T3 cells. Laser power and wavelength are chosen to minimize heating induced softening.