• Integral microtweezer apparatus that facilitates cellular attachment
• Two integrated piezo manipulators are included
• Bio-compatible adhesive (MyoTAK™) included
• Unique rotational stage that allows for easy cellular alignment, improved experimental throughput (shown in the image above)
• Ultra-quiet force transducer included
• Linear displacement motor stretches or compresses cells with 25nm precision
• Fits ANY inverted microscope
• Use native cuvette or ANY 35mm glass bottom dish

OVERVIEW

The Cell Tester is the product of three years of design and field testing. It represents a blending of state-of-the-art technologies, including electronics, mechanics and optics. The end result is a revolutionary new research tool for cellular investigation.

A single cardiac myocyte is attached to the microtweezers and stretched

All living systems can be studied from several perspectives. We can examine the entire organism or a specific organ system. We can characterize a single organ in a system or a type of tissue in an organ or the cells that make up that tissue. To completely understand any system, all of these perspectives must be considered. Often, entirely different systems are needed in a parallel experimental paradigm. The Cell Tester accomplishes this on one platform.

Courtesy of Ben Prosser, Chris Ward, Ramzi Khairallah, Jon Lederer
Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore

The Cell Tester can, without any changes, be used for one single living cell, for a small multi-cellular preparation and for single or larger skinned muscle strip preparations. Translational experiments from the single living cells to the intact multi-cellular level can be accomplished. For example, using the Cell Tester, the influence of the connective tissue on muscle function can be distinguished from the clean muscle work for the first time. Conversely, skinning allows a direct comparison between the living cell response and a cell, whereby the subcellular contractile proteins are studied with full experimental access to cell signalling and cellular biochemistry.

The Cell Tester provides researchers with the comprehensive ability to investigate and characterize the physiological, bio-mechanical and bio-physical properties of single isolated living cells and extend these findings to the sub- and multi-cellular level.

SYSTEM ORGANISATION

The Cell Tester is designed to sit on top of the stage of a standard inverted research microscope. The optical path of the microscope is left intact for simultaneous fluorescence or confocal imaging.

Nanomotor

The heart of the system is a tuned and paired combination of a linear actuator offering nanometer (nm) precision and a force transducer with nano Newton nN) sensitivity. Each element (actuator and sensor) is equipped with a remote controlled micro grabber that allows tissues to be held firmly. In addition, a critically important, non-cytotoxic adhesive (MyoTAK) facilitates the bonding of tissue to the measuring device where needed.

Force Transducer

KG-series force transducers measure a large range of detectable forces. The transducer with the highest sensitivity (20nN) is sufficient to measure the force of a single heart cell. Because all transducers are extraordinarily rugged, withstanding even overload forces, they come with a lifetime warranty on the optical transducer heads.

Rotating Cuvette

The complete system utilizes a unique rotating bath to dramatically improve experimental throughput. The rotating bath is designed to orient cells in the XY plane so that no physical manipulation of the position of the cell itself is required prior to capture by the grabbing devices attached to the force sensor and linear actuator.

Electronics