Measuring Mechanical Properties of Breast Cancer Cells with Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Using physical models to describe the response of cells to external stimuli has grown popular in the last three decades. The mechanical properties of cells are tightly linked to biochemical signaling pathways related to cell structure, proliferation, differentiation, motility, and cell fate. This chapter aims to describe how to perform mechanical experiments on MCF-7 breast cancer cells using the atomic force microscope. We present a stepwise procedure on sample preparation, force spectroscopy measurements and a guide on data evaluation using standard rheological models. We demonstrate how to derive all viscoelastic parameters of the cell by conducting stress relaxation and creep experiments. Additionally, the reader can find a sample dataset and the code required for data evaluation.

Keywords: Atomic force microscopy; Cell mechanics; Indentation; Relaxation time; Stress relaxation and creep; Viscosity; Young’s Modulus.