Review article

https://doi.org/10.5772/59379

Micro and Nano-scale Technologies for Cell Mechanics

Mustafa Unal ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Yunus Alapan ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Hao Jia ; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Adrienn G. Varga ; Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Keith Angelino ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Mahmut Aslan ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Ismail Sayin ; Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Chanjuan Han ; Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Yanxia Jiang ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Zhehao Zhang ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Umut A. Gurkan ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western R

Abstract

Cell mechanics is a multidisciplinary field that bridges cell biology with fundamental mechanics, and micro and nanotechnology, which synergize to help us better understand the intricacies and the complex nature of cells in their native environment. With recent advances in nanotechnology, microfabrication methods and micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS), we are now well situated to tap into the wondrous micro world of cells. The field that brings biology and MEMS together is known as Biological MEMS (BioMEMS). BioMEMS take advantage of systematic design and fabrication methods to create platforms that allow us to study cells like never before. These new technologies have been rapidly advancing the study of cell mechanics. This review article provides a succinct overview of cell mechanics and comprehensively surveys micro and nano-scale technologies that have been specifically developed for and are relevant to the mechanics of cells. Here we focus on micro and nano-scale technologies, and their applications in biology and medicine, including imaging, single cell analysis, cancer cell mechanics, organ-on-a-chip systems, pathogen detection, implantable devices, neuroscience and neurophysiology. We provide a perspective on the future directions and challenges of nano and microtechnologies that relate to the mechanics of cells.

Keywords

Microfabrication; nanofabrication; biophysics; single cell analysis; mechanical manipulation; microfluidics

Hrčak ID:

157637

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/157637

Publication date:

1.1.2014.

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