Mechanical characteristic study of cancerous and normal cell

Abstract

Traditionally, biochemical and genetic approach has been widely used in basic cellular research. However, recent studies have shown that cells have very interesting mechanical characteristics. It is, therefore, meaningful to study mechanical and physical factors that are important in characterizing the cellular behavior. This thesis aims to study the mechanical characteristics of cancerous and normal liver cells. First we characterize cell’s elastic modulus by indentation and adhesion property by tension experiments. For the indentation experiment, a MEMS based cellular indenter is developed. The cellular indenter consists of a probe, flexible beams with embedded electrodes and a permanent magnet and was fabricated using MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technique. The device is then calibrated using a glass fiber of known mechanical and geometrical properties. With the use of this device, we propose cellular indentation experiments and modelling using Hertz approximation. Also, the responses of cellular adhesion property of normal and cancerous liver cells are investigated upon tensional stimulation. By stretching the PDMS substrate with cells seeded onto, we apply tensional effects on cells. Adhesion proteins such as E-cadherin and vinculin are characterized and analyzed using biological methods. This work will help us characterize the mechanical properties of cancerous and normal cells, and establish a reasonable step stone for future cancer detection research.