Mechanical characterization of elastic membranes : cell mechanics applications.
Abstract
Wrinkled patterns produced by cells crawling onto elastic membranes provide a useful tool to test living cells' locomotion. The technique however requires a characterization of the intrinsic- properties and tension of the membrane as well as an accurate determination of the deformation induced by the cell. Here, we present a capillary-type technique to estimate the elastic modulus of such membranes, describe an indentation technique to measure the initial tension, and develop a simple interferometric method to measure the amplitude field of the wrinkled pattern produced, for instance, by the action of living cell.
Origin : Files produced by the author(s)
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