Abstract
We report on the refinement and validation of one of the earliest ideas of "reverse" biophysics: the use of individual red blood cells as reliable, ultrasensitive mechanotransducers. Our analysis is based on the numerical prediction of the force exerted by a micropipette-held red cell as it is pushed against a test object. Examining this red-cell transducer, in conjunction with a custom-built "horizontal" force microscope, we were able to soundly corroborate its utility, while at the same time, accurately calibrating the spring constants of atomic-force microscope cantilevers.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 153902 |
| Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
| Volume | 92 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2008 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Biophysics in reverse : Using blood cells to accurately calibrate force-microscopy cantilevers. / Heinrich, Volkmar; Ounkomol, Chawin.
In: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 92, No. 15, 153902, 2008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biophysics in reverse
T2 - Using blood cells to accurately calibrate force-microscopy cantilevers
AU - Heinrich, Volkmar
AU - Ounkomol, Chawin
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - We report on the refinement and validation of one of the earliest ideas of "reverse" biophysics: the use of individual red blood cells as reliable, ultrasensitive mechanotransducers. Our analysis is based on the numerical prediction of the force exerted by a micropipette-held red cell as it is pushed against a test object. Examining this red-cell transducer, in conjunction with a custom-built "horizontal" force microscope, we were able to soundly corroborate its utility, while at the same time, accurately calibrating the spring constants of atomic-force microscope cantilevers.
AB - We report on the refinement and validation of one of the earliest ideas of "reverse" biophysics: the use of individual red blood cells as reliable, ultrasensitive mechanotransducers. Our analysis is based on the numerical prediction of the force exerted by a micropipette-held red cell as it is pushed against a test object. Examining this red-cell transducer, in conjunction with a custom-built "horizontal" force microscope, we were able to soundly corroborate its utility, while at the same time, accurately calibrating the spring constants of atomic-force microscope cantilevers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=42349086086&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=42349086086&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/1.2909529
DO - 10.1063/1.2909529
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:42349086086
VL - 92
JO - Applied Physics Letters
JF - Applied Physics Letters
SN - 0003-6951
IS - 15
M1 - 153902
ER -