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Fundamentals and Applications of FluidFM Technology in Single‐Cell Studies
Author(s) -
Saha Prithwidip,
DuanisAssaf Tal,
Reches Meital
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.202001115
Subject(s) - cantilever , microfluidics , nanotechnology , materials science , biomolecule , cell adhesion , atomic force microscopy , adhesion , cell , intracellular , substrate (aquarium) , biological system , biophysics , chemistry , composite material , biology , ecology , biochemistry
Abstract This review describes the potential of FluidFM technology and its implementation in studying the interface between a single cell (prokaryote or eukaryote) and a surface or a surrounding area. A combination of microfluidics with conventional atomic force microscope (AFM) makes this platform efficient to address challenges associated with various biomolecular systems and biophysical activities down to single‐cell levels. Upon regulating the pressure through a microchanneled cantilever via a pressure controller, a wide range of studies are feasible. These include isolating and displacing a single living cell to measure the cell‐substrate and intercellular adhesion forces, intracellular injection of biomolecules as drug delivery systems, extraction of cellular fluid for downstream analyses, and characterization of cell structures to obtain the mechanical properties. For single‐cell adhesion experiments, the irreversible chemical‐based cell immobolization in conventional AFM has been replaced with the reversible pressure‐controlled approach in this platform; this not only reduces the experiment time—it also helps in performing serial and rapid measurement with improved statistics. This approach also ensures the retention of cell viability after each experiment.