3D-printed multifunctional microfluidic AFM cantilever

Much research is conducted on the biomechanical properties of cells, particularly in cancer research. Cell stiffness and cell adhesion are two properties often studied, because they are important for the functioning of a cell. To study these properties, atomic force microscopy(AFM) is often used, using nanoindentation for stiffness analysis and...

Liquid dosing on the micro-scale: A quest for increased resolution

The processes that take place within cells are complex. Single-cell analysis is a method that is employed to gain further understanding of the working mechanisms on a single-cellular level. The controlled transport of substances through the cell membrane is important for studying the behaviour and responses of single living cells. Femtopipettes...

Multiscale 3D printed polymer probes for single cell experiments: A rapid prototyping method to fabricate microfluidic atomic force microscopy cantilevers for single cell studies

Facioscapulohumeral muscle dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common muscle disease in the world. No cure has been found for FSHD, and current treatments focus on alleviating the symptoms. The disease is caused by a genetic error in 1/1000 - 1/200 of the nuclei in a multinucleated skeletal muscle cell. Studying that specific nucleus, by removing...