Cell biology tool from JPK measures live-cell interaction

With CellHesion200, JPK Instruments has created an integrated system for measuring cellular elasticity and adhesion, including live cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. CellHesion provides quantitative and reliably reproducible measurements of the adhesive and stiffness characteristics of living cells. The single cell force testing system promises precise information about single molecule behavior.

Additionally, quantifiable and reproducible data can be produced for a number of important parameters involved in cell adhesion, including single bond partner interactions. CellHesion200 can also be used to determine mechanical characteristics such as cell elasticity or stiffness.

The device can be integrated with a standard optical inverted microscope in less than a minute to provide flexibility and expand the range of possible control experiments.

The measurement of cell adhesion and cell elasticity is a primary focus of research activity for biophysics, biochemistry, cellular and medical research in cell migration, implant research, wound healing, developmental biology, stem cell research, infection biology and immune response. To date, cellular adhesion has been studied with fluorescence microscopy, capillary techniques or mechanical methods such as rotation assays and flow chambers. According to JPK, all these these methods have limitations: Either they provide qualitative, difficult-to-interpret results or are difficult to operate.