Strategies to measure the Young modulus of cells by means of Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy
Year: 2011
Authors: Tognoni E., Pellegrino M., Orsini P., Pellegrini M., Baschieri P., Dinelli F., Petracchi D., Ascoli C.
Autors Affiliation: INO
Abstract: In our recent work we have characterized the mechanical interaction occurring between the pipette tip and the sample during SICM operation, when the pipette is filled to a level differing from the value determined by the capillary tension. We have also demonstrated that this phenomenon can be actually exploited to deliver weak and finely adjustable pressure stimuli to neuronal growth cones, to guide them, in far scanning mode. A question that still remains open is the type of cell response that mediates the remodeling. One of the possible mechanisms is the activation of mechano-sensitive ion channels due to membrane deformation. The knowledge of the extent of membrane deformation is an essential step to evaluate different hypotheses.
Journal/Review:
KeyWords: SICM; neuronal cone growth;