This report outlines the formulation of a procedure to study the relationship between cytoskeletal stiffness and contractile force within a cell. The methodology combines Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) to quantify traction stresses and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterize local cell stiffness. By combining AFM and TFM techniques on the same cell, we may better understand how forces propagate within the cell during movement. A detailed look into cell mechanics may provide new insights into how cells move during metastasis, paving the way for new methods for diagnostics and therapy.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Tomasian, Aline Natalie

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042618-182435

Advisor

• Wen, Qi

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright