GSBS Student Publications
Title
Microscopic methods for measuring the elasticity of gel substrates for cell culture: microspheres, microindenters, and atomic force microscopy
GSBS Program
Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
UMMS Affiliation
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Physiology
Date
7-7-2007
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Cell Culture Techniques; Elasticity; Gels; Gravitation; Microscopy, Atomic Force; *Microspheres
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
In conjunction with surface chemistry, the mechanical properties of cell culture substrates provide important biological cues that affect cell behavior including growth, differentiation, spreading, and migration. The phenomenon has led to the increased use of biological and synthetic polymer-based flexible substrates in cell culture studies. However, widely used methods for measuring the Young's modulus have proven difficult in the characterization of these materials, as they tend to be relatively thin, soft, hydrated, and tethered to glass substrates. Here we describe three methods that have been applied successfully to probe the flexibility of soft culture substrates.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Methods Cell Biol. 2007;83:47-65. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/S0091-679X(07)83003-2
Related Resources
Journal Title
Methods in cell biology
PubMed ID
17613304
Repository Citation
Frey, Margo Tilley; Engler, Adam; Discher, Dennis E.; Lee, Juliet; and Wang, Yu-Li, "Microscopic methods for measuring the elasticity of gel substrates for cell culture: microspheres, microindenters, and atomic force microscopy" (2007). GSBS Student Publications. 359.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_sp/359