Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a popular tool for evaluating the mechanical properties of biological materials (cells and tissues) at high resolution. This technique has become particularly attractive to cancer researchers seeking to bridge the gap between mechanobiology and cancer initiation, pro...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Cancers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/13/3285 |
| _version_ | 1797592057659785216 |
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| author | Julian Najera Matthew R. Rosenberger Meenal Datta |
| author_facet | Julian Najera Matthew R. Rosenberger Meenal Datta |
| author_sort | Julian Najera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a popular tool for evaluating the mechanical properties of biological materials (cells and tissues) at high resolution. This technique has become particularly attractive to cancer researchers seeking to bridge the gap between mechanobiology and cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. The majority of AFM studies thus far have been extensively focused on the nanomechanical characterization of cells. However, these approaches fail to capture the complex and heterogeneous nature of a tumor and its host organ. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to characterize the mechanical properties of tumors and tumor-bearing tissues using AFM. This has led to novel insights regarding cancer mechanopathology at the tissue scale. In this Review, we first explain the principles of AFM nanoindentation for the general study of tissue mechanics. We next discuss key considerations when using this technique and preparing tissue samples for analysis. We then examine AFM application in characterizing the mechanical properties of cancer tissues. Finally, we provide an outlook on AFM in the field of cancer mechanobiology and its application in the clinic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:46:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4eac2e48123945f4aa21bcc0f473e2ac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6694 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:46:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancers |
| spelling | doaj.art-4eac2e48123945f4aa21bcc0f473e2ac2023-11-18T16:14:44ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942023-06-011513328510.3390/cancers15133285Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical PropertiesJulian Najera0Matthew R. Rosenberger1Meenal Datta2Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USADepartment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USADepartment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USAAtomic force microscopy (AFM) is a popular tool for evaluating the mechanical properties of biological materials (cells and tissues) at high resolution. This technique has become particularly attractive to cancer researchers seeking to bridge the gap between mechanobiology and cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. The majority of AFM studies thus far have been extensively focused on the nanomechanical characterization of cells. However, these approaches fail to capture the complex and heterogeneous nature of a tumor and its host organ. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to characterize the mechanical properties of tumors and tumor-bearing tissues using AFM. This has led to novel insights regarding cancer mechanopathology at the tissue scale. In this Review, we first explain the principles of AFM nanoindentation for the general study of tissue mechanics. We next discuss key considerations when using this technique and preparing tissue samples for analysis. We then examine AFM application in characterizing the mechanical properties of cancer tissues. Finally, we provide an outlook on AFM in the field of cancer mechanobiology and its application in the clinic.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/13/3285nanomechanical signaturescancer mechanopathologyviscoelasticitystiffnessmechanobiomarkersYoung’s modulus |
| spellingShingle | Julian Najera Matthew R. Rosenberger Meenal Datta Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties Cancers nanomechanical signatures cancer mechanopathology viscoelasticity stiffness mechanobiomarkers Young’s modulus |
| title | Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties |
| title_full | Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties |
| title_fullStr | Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties |
| title_short | Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties |
| title_sort | atomic force microscopy methods to measure tumor mechanical properties |
| topic | nanomechanical signatures cancer mechanopathology viscoelasticity stiffness mechanobiomarkers Young’s modulus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/13/3285 |
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