Cells are constantly exposed to mechanical forces, both from their environment and from within. These forces can affect cell shape, function, and even survival. In order to understand how cells respond to mechanical forces, researchers need to be able to measure these forces at the nanoscale.
The researchers used a technique called atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure the mechanical properties of cells. AFM involves using a sharp probe to scan the surface of a sample. The probe is attached to a cantilever, which is a small beam that vibrates at a certain frequency. As the probe scans the surface, it encounters obstacles, which cause the cantilever to vibrate. The amplitude of the vibration can be used to measure the force that the probe is exerting on the sample.
In this study, the researchers used AFM to measure the mechanical properties of cells that were exposed to different levels of pressure. They found that the cells became stiffer as the pressure increased. This suggests that the cells were able to sense the pressure and respond by changing their structure.
The researchers believe that the ability of cells to sense and respond to pressure is important for a variety of cellular processes, such as cell division, migration, and differentiation. The findings could also have implications for understanding and treating a variety of diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
"By understanding how cells respond to mechanical forces, we can develop new ways to treat diseases that are caused by abnormal mechanical forces," said study co-author Dr. Sanjay Kumar.
