Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical StretchGabriel Rápalo 1,2, Josh D. Herwig 3, Robert Hewitt 4, Kristina R. Wilhelm 1,2, Christopher M. Waters 1,2, Esra Roan 3
1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2Department of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, 4Department of Engineering Technology, University of Memphis
A novel imaging protocol was developed using a custom motor-driven mechanical actuator to allow the measurement of real time responses to mechanical strain in live cells. Relevant to mechanobiology, the system can apply strains up to 20% while allowing near real-time imaging with confocal or atomic force microscopy.