Single cell level physical examination
For centuries, clinicians have used palpation to assess tissue integrity and response to pressure. In a similar way, one can determine the mechanical properties of cells by force spectroscopy, one of the major applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM). This method utilises cantilevers to apply force and monitor deflection as an estimate of the interaction between the tip and the sample. In essence, this is a way of measuring tissue stiffness, a parameter often associated with disease. The EU-funded SCANCER (Specialized cantilevers for cancer research) project worked to advance the AFM field using specific cantilevers with customised geometries, added functionalities and engineered tips. Scientists set out to develop less sharp tips specialised for single cell use that have enhanced stability in liquids. Activities towards tip functionalisation concentrated on the use of graphene for preserving tip geometry and reducing fabrication costs. In addition two-dimensional probe arrays were developed with the aim of measuring multiple cells at the same time, thereby increasing the statistical significance of the obtained results. The SCANCER project has contributed towards facilitating further cancer research and diagnosis. The sensitivity of the approach should enable prompt diagnosis and characterisation at the single cell level in vivo. Considering the high mortality of cancer, such novel instruments and methods should undoubtedly have a great socioeconomic impact.
Keywords
Single cell, tissue integrity, cancer, atomic force microscopy, stiffness
