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Measuring Cell Contractility with Confocal Traction Force Microscopy
In this project, you will explore how cells generate mechanical forces using confocal traction force microscopy (cTFM). The project combines experimental techniques, such as cell culturing, quantum dot array printing, and live-cell confocal imaging, together with computational data analysis using the open-source tool Cellogram. By growing cells on deformable substrates and tracking the displacement of fluorescent quantum dots, students will quantify the traction forces that individual cells exert on their environment.
Cell contractility plays a critical role in various biological processes, from tissue development to disease progression. Confocal traction force microscopy is a powerful technique that enables the visualization and quantification of the forces exerted by individual cells on their substrates. In this interdisciplinary project, students will learn to fabricate ordered arrays of quantum dots, to culture cells on PDMS substrates, to operate confocal microscopy to capture time-lapse images of array deformation, and finally to analyze traction stress patterns using Cellogram, a computational tool designed for force inference. Students will also be introduced to FluidFM to apply controlled mechanical stimulation or to isolate specific cells.
Cell contractility plays a critical role in various biological processes, from tissue development to disease progression. Confocal traction force microscopy is a powerful technique that enables the visualization and quantification of the forces exerted by individual cells on their substrates. In this interdisciplinary project, students will learn to fabricate ordered arrays of quantum dots, to culture cells on PDMS substrates, to operate confocal microscopy to capture time-lapse images of array deformation, and finally to analyze traction stress patterns using Cellogram, a computational tool designed for force inference. Students will also be introduced to FluidFM to apply controlled mechanical stimulation or to isolate specific cells.
Experimental Work: Learn and perform cell culturing, quantum dot arrays substrate preparation and FluidFM
Data Analysis: Based on the Cellogram software to compute traction force maps from bead displacement data. By quantitatively assessing cell contractility, solving the existing biology questions.
Experimental Work: Learn and perform cell culturing, quantum dot arrays substrate preparation and FluidFM
Data Analysis: Based on the Cellogram software to compute traction force maps from bead displacement data. By quantitatively assessing cell contractility, solving the existing biology questions.
