JPK Instruments has launched the Cellhesion200, a single-cell force-testing solution for the study of cellular elasticity and adhesion.
The measurement of cell adhesion and cell elasticity is a primary focus of research activity in the life sciences.
Many different disciplines are interested in the interaction of cells with other cells or substrates.
This is especially true for biophysics, biochemistry, cellular and medical research in cell migration, implant research, wound healing, developmental biology, stem cell research, infection biology and immune response.
To date, cellular adhesion has been studied with fluorescence microscopy, capillary techniques or mechanical methods such as rotation assays and flow chambers.
All these methods have their limitations.
Either they provide qualitative, difficult-to-interpret results or are difficult to operate.
The Cellhesion200 may be integrated with a standard optical inverted microscope in less than a minute to provide flexibility and expanding the spectrum of possible control experiments.
Cellhesion technology provides quantitative and reliably reproducible measurements of the adhesive and stiffness characteristics of living cells.
The system delivers precise information about single-molecule behaviour.
Additionally, quantifiable and reproducible data can be produced for a number of important parameters involved in cell adhesion, including single-bond partner interactions.
Cellhesion200 can also be used to determine mechanical characteristics such as cell elasticity or stiffness.
