Research related to this paper and the development of the fBFP technology in the Zhu lab were supported by NIH grants AI044902, AI077343, AI038282, HL093723, HL091020, GM096187, and TW008753. We thank Evan Evans for inventing this empowering experimental tool, and members of the Evans lab, Andrew Leung, Koji Kinoshita, Wesley Wong, and Ken Halvorsen, for helping us to build the BFP. We also thank other Zhu lab members, Fang Kong, Chenghao Ge and Kaitao Li, for their helps in the instrumentation development.

<ol>
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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Un esperimento di successo fBFP comporta alcune considerazioni critiche. In primo luogo, per il calcolo forza di essere affidabile, la micropipetta, l&#39;RBC, ed il tallone della sonda devono essere allineati come vicino coassiale possibile. La proiezione del RBC all&#39;interno della pipetta dovrebbe essere circa un diametro della sonda pipetta in modo che l&#39;attrito tra RBC e la pipetta è trascurabile. Per un tipico RBC umana, il diametro ottimale pipetta è 2.0-2.4 micron, che produce un migliore adattamento di ...

Cellula-cellula e cellula-matrice extracellulare (ECM) adesione è mediata dal legame tra i recettori della superficie cellulare, proteine ​​ECM, e / o lipidi 1. Binding consente cellule formano strutture funzionali 1, così come riconoscono, comunicare e reagiscono all&#39;ambiente 1-3. A differenza di proteine ​​solubili (ad esempio, citochine e fattori di crescita) che si legano da un tridimensionale (3D) fase fluida sui recettori di superficie cellulare, i recettori di adesione cellulare formano legami con i propri ligandi attraverso una stretta spazi di giunzione per colmare due superfici contrapposte che limitano molecolare diffusione in un dimensionale interfaccia due (2D) 4-7. In contrasto con la cinetica 3D che sono comunemente misurata mediante analisi di legame tradizionali (ad esempio, di risonanza plasmonica di superficie o SPR), cinetica 2D devono essere quantificati con le tecniche specializzate, come microscopia a forza atomica (AFM) 8-10, flusso camera di 11,12, micropipetta 13,14, otticapinzette 15 e vigore biomembrane sonda (BFP) 16-21. Più che semplicemente fornendo linkage fisico per coesione cellulare, molecole di adesione sono un componente importante della macchina di segnalazione per la cella di comunicare con l&#39;ambiente circostante. C&#39;è stato un crescente interesse per comprendere come l&#39;impegno ligando di molecole di adesione avvia segnale intracellulare e come il segnale iniziale viene trasdotto all&#39;interno della cellula. Intuitivamente, proprietà del recettore-ligando può influire i segnali che induce. Tuttavia, è difficile sezionare rapporti meccanicistici tra l&#39;interazione extracellulare ed eventi di segnalazione intracellulare utilizzando insieme tradizionale di saggi biochimici causa delle loro molte limitazioni, ad esempio, una risoluzione temporale povero e la totale assenza di risoluzione spaziale. Metodi che permettono sia biofisica (2D cinetica legame recettore-ligando) e biochimiche osservazioni (segnalazione) su Live esistentele cellule sono substrati di rigidità sintonizzabile 22, elastomeri array pilastro 23 e dispositivi camera di flusso / microfluidica incorporato con capacità di fluorescenza 24-26. Tuttavia, letture di segnalamento e il legame al recettore-ligando devono essere ottenuti separatamente (più spesso con metodi diversi), rendendo difficile sezionare relazioni temporali e spaziali delle caratteristiche dei titoli con eventi di segnalazione. Convenzionale BFP è una spettroscopia di forza ultrasensibile con alta risoluzione spazio-temporale 17. Esso utilizza una cella flessibile rossi del sangue (RBC) come un sensore di forza, che consente la misurazione della cinetica 2D singola molecola, le proprietà meccaniche e cambiamenti conformazionali 14,16,19-21,27-29. Un BFP a base di immagini a fluorescenza (fBFP) correla la cinetica di legame recettore-ligando con la segnalazione cellulare vincolante-attivato a scala singola molecola. Con questa impostazione, in attività di segnalazione delle cellule in situ nel contesto meccanicamente superficialistimolazione cal è stata osservata in cellule T 27. Il fBFP è versatile e può essere utilizzato per studi di adesione e segnalazione cellulare mediata da altre molecole di altre celle.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="4">Table 1: Reagents/Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate (NaH2PO4&#8226;H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9638</td>
			<td>Phosphate buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anhy. Sodium Phosphate Dibasic (Na2HPO4)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S7907</td>
			<td>Phosphate buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S2127</td>
			<td>Carbonate/bicarbonate buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S5761</td>
			<td>Carbonate/bicarbonate buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S7653</td>
			<td>N2-5% buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium chloride (KCl)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P9541</td>
			<td>N2-5% buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium phosphate monobasic (KH2PO4)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P5655</td>
			<td>N2-5% buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S0389</td>
			<td>N2-5% buffer preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MAL-PEG3500-NHS</td>
			<td>JenKem</td>
			<td>A5002-1</td>
			<td>Bead functionalization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biotin-PEG3500-NHS</td>
			<td>JenKem</td>
			<td>A5026-1</td>
			<td>RBC biotinylation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nystatin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N6261</td>
			<td>RBC osmolarity adjustment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A-6899</td>
			<td>Glass bead silanization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Methanol</td>
			<td>BDH</td>
			<td>67-56-1</td>
			<td>Glass bead silanization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>30% Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)</td>
			<td>J. T. Barker</td>
			<td>Jan-86</td>
			<td>Glass bead silanization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetic Acid (Glacial)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>ARK2183</td>
			<td>Glass bead silanization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3-MERCAPTOPROPYLTRIMETHOXYSILANE(MPTMS)</td>
			<td>Uct Specialties, llc</td>
			<td>4420-74-0</td>
			<td>Glass bead functionalization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate Glass beads</td>
			<td>Distrilab Particle Technology</td>
			<td>9002</td>
			<td>Glass bead functionalization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin&#8722;Maleimide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9415</td>
			<td>Glass bead functionalization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A0336</td>
			<td>Ligand functionalizing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fura2-AM</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>F-1201</td>
			<td>Intracellular calcium fluorescence dye loading</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D2650</td>
			<td>Intracellular calcium fluorescence dye loading</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Quantibrite PE Beads</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340495</td>
			<td>Density quantification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Cytometer</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>BD LSR II</td>
			<td>Density quantification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Capillary Tube 0.7-1.0mm x 30&#34;</td>
			<td>Kimble Chase</td>
			<td>46485-1</td>
			<td>Micropipette making</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flaming/Brown Micropipette Puller</td>
			<td>sutter instrument</td>
			<td>P-97</td>
			<td>Micropipette making</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette microforce</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>MF-900</td>
			<td>Micropipette making</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mineral Oil</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP2629-1</td>
			<td>Chamber assembly</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Cover Glass</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-544-G</td>
			<td>Chamber assembly</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-injector</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>MF34G-5</td>
			<td>Chamber assembly</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1ml Syringe</td>
			<td>BD&#160;</td>
			<td>309602</td>
			<td>Chamber assembly</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipette holder</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>HI-7</td>
			<td>Chamber assembly</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Home-designed mechanical parts and adaptors fabrications using CNC machining.&#160;</td>
			<td>Biophysics Instrument</td>
			<td>All parts are customized according to the CAD designs.</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope (TiE inverted)</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>MEA53100</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Objective CFI Plan Fluor 40x (NA 0.75, WD 0.72mm, Spg)</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>MRH00401</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera, GE680, 640x480, GigE, 1/3&#34; CCD, mono</td>
			<td>Graftek Imaging</td>
			<td>02-2020C</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prosilica GC1290 - ICX445, 1/3&#34;, C-Mount, 1280x960, Mono., CCD, 12 Bit ADC</td>
			<td>Graftek Imaging</td>
			<td>02-2185A</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Manual submicron probehead with high resolution remote control</td>
			<td>Karl Suss</td>
			<td>PH400</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-vibration table (5&#8217; x 3&#8217;)</td>
			<td>TMC</td>
			<td>77049089</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3D manual translational stage</td>
			<td>Newport</td>
			<td>462-XYZ-M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SolidWorks 3D CAD software</td>
			<td>SOLIDWORKS Corp.</td>
			<td>Version 2012 SP5</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LabVIEW software</td>
			<td>National Instruments</td>
			<td>Version 2009</td>
			<td>BFP system, BFP program</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3D piezo translational stage</td>
			<td>Physik Instrumente</td>
			<td>M-105.3P</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Linear piezo accuator</td>
			<td>Physik Instrumente</td>
			<td>P-753.1CD</td>
			<td>BFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanager software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Version 1.4</td>
			<td>fBFP system, fluorescence imaging program</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dual Cam (DC-2)</td>
			<td>Photometrics</td>
			<td>77054724</td>
			<td>fBFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dual Cam emission filter (T565LPXR)</td>
			<td>Photometrics</td>
			<td>77054725</td>
			<td>fBFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence Camera</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu</td>
			<td>ORCA-R2 C10600-10B</td>
			<td>fBFP system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic paraffin film (Parafilm)</td>
			<td>Bemis Company, Inc</td>
			<td>PM996</td>
			<td>bottle sealing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">Table 2: Buffer solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbonate/bicarbonate buffer (pH 8.5)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)</td>
			<td>8.4g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)</td>
			<td>10.6g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffer (pH 6.5-6.8)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaPhosphate monobasic&#160;&#160;&#160;NaH2PO4&#8226;H2O</td>
			<td>27.6g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anhy. NaPhosphate dibasic&#160;&#160; Na2HPO4</td>
			<td>28.4g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N2-5% buffer (pH 7.2)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium chloride (KCl)</td>
			<td>20.77g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</td>
			<td>2.38g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium phosphate monobasic (KH2PO4)</td>
			<td>0.13g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anhy. Sodium Phosphate Dibasic (Na2HPO4)</td>
			<td>0.71g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>9.70g/L</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fluorescence biomembrane force probe: concurrent quantitation of receptor-ligand kinetics and binding-induced intracellular signaling on a single cell

Recettore-ligando membrana mediano molte funzioni cellulari. Cinetica Binding e segnalazione a valle innescato da queste interazioni molecolari sono probabilmente influenzate dall&#39;ambiente meccanico in cui legame e segnalazione avvengono. Uno studio recente ha dimostrato che la forza meccanica può regolare il riconoscimento dell&#39;antigene da e attivazione del recettore delle cellule T (TCR). Ciò è stato reso possibile da una nuova tecnologia che abbiamo sviluppato e fluorescenza Definito sensore di forza biomembrane (fBFP), che combina spettroscopia di forza singola molecola con microscopia a fluorescenza. L&#39;utilizzo di un globulo rosso umano ultra-morbido come il sensore di forza sensibile, una macchina fotografica ad alta velocità e in tempo reale, le tecniche di monitoraggio delle immagini, la fBFP è di ~ 1 PN (10 -12 N), ~ 3 nm e ~ 0.5 msec a forza, risoluzione spaziale e temporale. Con il fBFP, si può misurare con precisione singoli cinetica di legame recettore-ligando ai sensi del regolamento vigente e allo stesso tempo l&#39;immagine vincolante-attivato cal intracellularecico segnalazione su una singola cellula dal vivo. Questa nuova tecnologia può essere utilizzata per studiare altri recettore-ligando di membrana e la segnalazione in altre cellule sotto regolazione meccanica.

La tecnica BFP è stato lanciato da laboratorio Evans nel 1995 17. Questo strumento picoforce è stato ampiamente utilizzato per misurare le interazioni di proteine ​​immobilizzate su superfici, in modo da analizzare la cinetica bidimensionali di molecole di adesione interagire con i loro ligandi 16,19,20, 30, per misurare l&#39;elasticità molecolare 21,29, e per determinare proteine ​​conformazionale cambia 21. Per un fBFP, un ulteriore set di dispositivi epi-fluores...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fluorescence Biomembrane Force Probe: Concurrent Quantitation of Receptor-ligand Kinetics and Binding-induced Intracellular Signaling on a Single Cell at JoVE

Fluorescence Biomembrane Force Probe: Concurrent Quantitation of Receptor-ligand Kinetics and Binding-induced Intracellular Signaling on a Single Cell

We describe a technique for concurrently measuring force-regulated single receptor-ligand binding kinetics and real-time imaging of calcium signaling in a single T lymphocyte.

Fluorescenza Biomembrane Forza Probe: quantificazione simultanea di Cinetica recettore-ligando e Binding-indotta intracellulare segnalazione su una singola cella

Membrane receptor-ligand interactions mediate many cellular functions. Binding kinetics and downstream signaling triggered by these molecular interactions ...

fluorescence-biomembrane-force-probe-concurrent-quantitation-receptor

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

12.3K Views.  Georgia Institute of Technology. We describe a technique for concurrently measuring force-regulated single receptor-ligand binding kinetics and real-time imaging of calcium signaling in a single T lymphocyte.

Video: Fluorescence Biomembrane Force Probe: Concurrent Quantitation of Receptor-ligand Kinetics and Binding-induced Intracellular Signaling on a Single Cell

Time-lapse Fluorescence Imaging of Arabidopsis Root Growth with Rapid Manipulation of The Root Environment Using The RootChip

The root functions as the physical anchor of the plant and is the organ responsible for uptake of water and mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfate and trace elements that plants acquire from the soil. If we want to develop sustainable approaches to producing high crop yield, we need to better understand how the root develops, takes up a wide spectrum of nutrients, and interacts with symbiotic and pathogenic organisms. To accomplish these goals, we need to be able to explore roots in microscopic detail over time periods ranging from minutes to days.
We developed the RootChip, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)- based microfluidic device, which allows us to grow and image roots from Arabidopsis seedlings while avoiding any physical stress to roots during preparation for imaging1 (Figure 1). The device contains a bifurcated channel structure featuring micromechanical valves to guide the fluid flow from solution inlets to each of the eight observation chambers2. This perfusion system allows the root microenvironment to be controlled and modified with precision and speed. The volume of the chambers is approximately 400 nl, thus requiring only minimal amounts of test solution.
Here we provide a detailed protocol for studying root biology on the RootChip using imaging-based approaches with real time resolution. Roots can be analyzed over several days using time lapse microscopy. Roots can be perfused with nutrient solutions or inhibitors, and up to eight seedlings can be analyzed in parallel. This system has the potential for a wide range of applications, including analysis of root growth in the presence or absence of chemicals, fluorescence-based analysis of gene expression, and the analysis of biosensors, e.g. FRET nanosensors3.

This article provides a protocol for cultivation of Arabidopsis seedlings in the RootChip, a microfluidic imaging platform that combines automated control of growth conditions with microscopic root monitoring and FRET-based measurement of intracellular metabolite levels.

Time-lapse imaging di fluorescenza della crescita Root Arabidopsis con manipolazione accelerato dell&#39;ambiente root usando il RootChip

The root functions as the physical anchor of the plant and is the organ responsible for uptake of water and mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, ...

Ricerca

Bioingegneria

Investigating Receptor-ligand Systems of the Cellulosome with AFM-based Single-molecule Force Spectroscopy

Cellulosomes are discrete multienzyme complexes used by a subset of anaerobic bacteria and fungi to digest lignocellulosic substrates. Assembly of the enzymes onto the noncatalytic scaffold protein is directed by interactions among a family of related receptor-ligand pairs comprising interacting cohesin and dockerin modules. The extremely strong binding between cohesin and dockerin modules results in dissociation constants in the low picomolar to nanomolar range, which may hamper accurate off-rate measurements with conventional bulk methods. Single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) with the atomic force microscope measures the response of individual biomolecules to force, and in contrast to other single-molecule manipulation methods (i.e.&#160;optical tweezers), is optimal for studying high-affinity receptor-ligand interactions because of its ability to probe the high-force regime (&#62;120 pN). Here we present our complete protocol for studying cellulosomal protein assemblies at the single-molecule level. Using a protein topology derived from the native cellulosome, we worked with enzyme-dockerin and carbohydrate binding module-cohesin (CBM-cohesin) fusion proteins, each with an accessible free thiol group at an engineered cysteine residue. We present our site-specific surface immobilization protocol, along with our measurement and data analysis procedure for obtaining detailed binding parameters for the high-affinity complex. We demonstrate how to quantify single subdomain unfolding forces, complex rupture forces, kinetic off-rates, and potential widths of the binding well. The successful application of these methods in characterizing the cohesin-dockerin interaction responsible for assembly of multidomain cellulolytic complexes is further described.

Cellulosomes are multienzyme complexes designed for digesting cellulose. AFM-based SMFS was used to study the mechanical properties and folding configuration of cellulosome-associated protein assemblies. We present a complete workflow for protein immobilization, data acquisition, and data analysis to study the interactions of individual receptor-ligand complexes involved in cellulosome assembly.

Indagare Sistemi recettore-ligando del Cellulosome con sede a AFM singola molecola di Forza Spettroscopia

Cellulosomes are discrete multienzyme complexes used by a subset of anaerobic bacteria and fungi to digest lignocellulosic substrates. Assembly of the ...

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This technology has shown potential in addressing previously challenging applications; including, delivery to primary immune cells, cell reprogramming, carbon nanotube, and quantum dot delivery. This vector-free microfluidic platform relies on mechanical disruption of the cell membrane to facilitate cytosolic delivery of the target material. Herein, we describe the detailed method of use for these microfluidic devices including, device assembly, cell preparation, and system operation. This delivery approach requires a brief optimization of device type and operating conditions for previously unreported applications. The provided instructions are generalizable to most cell types and delivery materials as this system does not require specialized buffers or chemical modification/conjugation steps. This work also provides recommendations on how to improve device performance and trouble-shoot potential issues related to clogging, low delivery efficiencies, and cell viability.

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This protocol provides detailed steps on how to use the system for a broad range of applications.

Spremere cellulare come un robusto, Microfluidic intracellulare Delivery Platform

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This ...

A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability

Here we detail the design, fabrication, and use of a microfluidic device to evaluate the deformability of a large number of individual cells in an efficient manner. Typically, data for ~102 cells can be acquired within a 1 hr experiment. An automated image analysis program enables efficient post-experiment analysis of image data, enabling processing to be complete within a few hours. Our device geometry is unique in that cells must deform through a series of micron-scale constrictions, thereby enabling the initial deformation and time-dependent relaxation of individual cells to be assayed. The applicability of this method to human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells is demonstrated. Driving cells to deform through micron-scale constrictions using pressure-driven flow, we observe that human promyelocytic (HL-60) cells momentarily occlude the first constriction for a median time of 9.3 msec before passaging more quickly through the subsequent constrictions with a median transit time of 4.0 msec per constriction. By contrast, all-trans retinoic acid-treated (neutrophil-type) HL-60 cells occlude the first constriction for only 4.3 msec before passaging through the subsequent constrictions with a median transit time of 3.3 msec. This method can provide insight into the viscoelastic nature of cells, and ultimately reveal the molecular origins of this behavior.

We demonstrate a microfluidics-based assay to measure the timescale for cells to transit through a sequence of micron-scale constrictions.

Una tecnica Microfluidic per sondare deformabilità cellulare

Here we detail the design, fabrication, and use of a microfluidic device to evaluate the deformability of a large number of individual cells in an ...

Formation of Biomembrane Microarrays with a Squeegee-based Assembly Method

Lipid bilayer membranes form the plasma membranes of cells and define the boundaries of subcellular organelles. In nature, these membranes are heterogeneous mixtures of many types of lipids, contain membrane-bound proteins and are decorated with carbohydrates. In some experiments, it is desirable to decouple the biophysical or biochemical properties of the lipid bilayer from those of the natural membrane. Such cases call for the use of model systems such as giant vesicles, liposomes or supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). Arrays of SLBs are particularly attractive for sensing applications and mimicking cell-cell interactions. Here we describe a new method for forming SLB arrays. Submicron-diameter SiO2 beads are first coated with lipid bilayers to form spherical SLBs (SSLBs). The beads are then deposited into an array of micro-fabricated submicron-diameter microwells. The preparation technique uses a "squeegee" to clean the substrate surface, while leaving behind SSLBs that have settled into microwells. This method requires no chemical modification of the microwell substrate, nor any particular targeting ligands on the SSLB. Microwells are occupied by single beads because the well diameter is tuned to be just larger than the bead diameter. Typically, more 75% of the wells are occupied, while the rest remain empty. In buffer SSLB arrays display long-term stability of greater than one week. Multiple types of SSLBs can be placed in a single array by serial deposition, and the arrays can be used for sensing, which we demonstrate by characterizing the interaction of cholera toxin with ganglioside GM1. We also show that phospholipid vesicles without the bead supports and biomembranes from cellular sources can be arrayed with the same method and cell-specific membrane lipids can be identified.

Supported lipid bilayers and natural membrane particles are convenient systems that can approximate the properties of cell membranes and be incorporated in a variety of analytical strategies. Here we demonstrate a method for preparing microarrays composed of supported lipid bilayer-coated SiO2 beads, phospholipid vesicles or natural membrane particles.

Formazione di microarray di membrana con un metodo di assemblaggio con sede a seccatoio

Lipid bilayer membranes form the plasma membranes of cells and define the boundaries of subcellular organelles. In nature, these membranes are ...

3D Orbital Tracking in a Modified Two-photon Microscope: An Application to the Tracking of Intracellular Vesicles

The objective of this video protocol is to discuss how to perform and analyze a three-dimensional fluorescent orbital particle tracking experiment using a modified two-photon microscope1. As opposed to conventional approaches (raster scan or wide field based on a stack of frames), the 3D orbital tracking allows to localize and follow with a high spatial (10 nm accuracy) and temporal resolution (50 Hz frequency response) the 3D displacement of a moving fluorescent particle on length-scales of hundreds of microns2. The method is based on a feedback algorithm that controls the hardware of a two-photon laser scanning microscope in order to perform a circular orbit around the object to be tracked: the feedback mechanism will maintain the fluorescent object in the center by controlling the displacement of the scanning beam3-5. To demonstrate the advantages of this technique, we followed a fast moving organelle, the lysosome, within a living cell6,7. Cells were plated according to standard protocols, and stained using a commercially lysosome dye. We discuss briefly the hardware configuration and in more detail the control software, to perform a 3D orbital tracking experiment inside living cells. We discuss in detail the parameters required in order to control the scanning microscope and enable the motion of the beam in a closed orbit around the particle. We conclude by demonstrating how this method can be effectively used to track the fast motion of a labeled lysosome along microtubules in 3D within a live cell. Lysosomes can move with speeds in the range of 0.4-0.5 &#181;m/sec, typically displaying a directed motion along the microtubule network8.

In this video protocol we track - at high speed and in three dimensions - fluorescently labeled lysosomes within living cells, using the orbital tracking method in a modified two-photon microscope.

3D Orbital Inseguimento in una Modified microscopio a due fotoni: un&#39;applicazione per il monitoraggio di intracellulare vescicole

The objective of this video protocol is to discuss how to perform and analyze a three-dimensional fluorescent orbital particle tracking experiment using a ...

From Fast Fluorescence Imaging to Molecular Diffusion Law on Live Cell Membranes in a Commercial Microscope

It has become increasingly evident that the spatial distribution and the motion of membrane components like lipids and proteins are key factors in the regulation of many cellular functions. However, due to the fast dynamics and the tiny structures involved, a very high spatio-temporal resolution is required to catch the real behavior of molecules. Here we present the experimental protocol for studying the dynamics of fluorescently-labeled plasma-membrane proteins and lipids in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. Notably, this approach doesn&#8217;t need to track each molecule, but it calculates population behavior using all molecules in a given region of the membrane. The starting point is a fast imaging of a given region on the membrane. Afterwards, a complete spatio-temporal autocorrelation function is calculated correlating acquired images at increasing time delays, for example each 2, 3, n repetitions. It is possible to demonstrate that the width of the peak of the spatial autocorrelation function increases at increasing time delay as a function of particle movement due to diffusion. Therefore, fitting of the series of autocorrelation functions enables to extract the actual protein mean square displacement from imaging (iMSD), here presented in the form of apparent diffusivity vs average displacement. This yields a quantitative view of the average dynamics of single molecules with nanometer accuracy. By using a GFP-tagged variant of the Transferrin Receptor (TfR) and an ATTO488 labeled 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PPE) it is possible to observe the spatiotemporal regulation of protein and lipid diffusion on &#181;m-sized membrane regions in the micro-to-milli-second time range.

Spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of plasma membrane proteins and lipids is a hot topic in biology. Here this issue is addressed by a spatio-temporal image fluctuation analysis that provides conceptually the same physical quantities of single particle tracking, but it uses small molecular labels and standard microscopy setups.

Da Veloce imaging di fluorescenza di Molecular legge Diffusione su membrane cellulare dal vivo in un microscopio commerciale

It has become increasingly evident that the spatial distribution and the motion of membrane components like lipids and proteins are key factors in the ...

Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Surface potential is a commonly overlooked physical characteristic that plays a dominant role in the adhesion of microorganisms to substrate surfaces. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is a module of atomic force microscopy (AFM) that measures the contact potential difference between surfaces at the nano-scale. The combination of KPFM with AFM allows for the simultaneous generation of surface potential and topographical maps of biological samples such as bacterial cells. Here, we employ KPFM to examine the effects of surface potential on microbial adhesion to medically relevant surfaces such as stainless steel and gold. Surface potential maps revealed differences in surface potential for microbial membranes on different material substrates. A step-height graph was generated to show the difference in surface potential at a boundary area between the substrate surface and microorganisms. Changes in cellular membrane surface potential have been linked with changes in cellular metabolism and motility. Therefore, KPFM represents a powerful tool that can be utilized to examine the changes of microbial membrane surface potential upon adhesion to various substrate surfaces. In this study, we demonstrate the procedure to characterize the surface potential of individual methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA100 cells on stainless steel and gold using KPFM.

Here, we present a protocol explaining the use of Kelvin probe force microscopy as a tool for generating high resolution nano-scale surface potential maps. This tool was applied to assess the role of surface potential on the binding capacity of microorganisms to substrate surfaces.

Superficie di misurazione potenziale di batteri Utilizzando Kelvin Probe microscopia a forza

Surface potential is a commonly overlooked physical characteristic that plays a dominant role in the adhesion of microorganisms to substrate surfaces. ...

Biomembrane Fabrication by the Solvent-assisted Lipid Bilayer (SALB) Method

In order to mimic cell membranes, the supported lipid bilayer (SLB) is an attractive platform which enables in vitro investigation of membrane-related processes while conferring biocompatibility and biofunctionality to solid substrates. The spontaneous adsorption and rupture of phospholipid vesicles is the most commonly used method to form SLBs. However, under physiological conditions, vesicle fusion (VF) is limited to only a subset of lipid compositions and solid supports. Here, we describe a one-step general procedure called the solvent-assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) formation method in order to form SLBs which does not require vesicles. The SALB method involves the deposition of lipid molecules onto a solid surface in the presence of water-miscible organic solvents (e.g., isopropanol) and subsequent solvent-exchange with aqueous buffer solution in order to trigger SLB formation. The continuous solvent exchange step enables application of the method in a flow-through configuration suitable for monitoring bilayer formation and subsequent alterations using a wide range of surface-sensitive biosensors. The SALB method can be used to fabricate SLBs on a wide range of hydrophilic solid surfaces, including those which are intractable to vesicle fusion. In addition, it enables fabrication of SLBs composed of lipid compositions which cannot be prepared using the vesicle fusion method. Herein, we compare results obtained with the SALB and conventional vesicle fusion methods on two illustrative hydrophilic surfaces, silicon dioxide and gold. To optimize the experimental conditions for preparation of high quality bilayers prepared via the SALB method, the effect of various parameters, including the type of organic solvent in the deposition step, the rate of solvent exchange, and the lipid concentration is discussed along with troubleshooting tips. Formation of supported membranes containing high fractions of cholesterol is also demonstrated with the SALB method, highlighting the technical capabilities of the SALB technique for a wide range of membrane configurations.

Biomembrane Fabrication by the Solvent-assisted Lipid Bilayer SALB Method

We present an experimental protocol to form a supported lipid bilayer on solid substrates without using lipid vesicles. We demonstrate a one-step method to form a lipid bilayer on silicon dioxide and gold as well as supported membranes with cholesterol-enriched domain for various biological applications.

Biomembrane Fabrication dal solvente assistita doppio strato lipidico (SALB) Metodo

In order to mimic cell membranes, the supported lipid bilayer (SLB) is an attractive platform which enables in vitro investigation of membrane-related ...

Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers

In the course of a single decade single molecule microscopy has changed from being a secluded domain shared merely by physicists with a strong background in optics and laser physics to a discipline that is now enjoying vivid attention by life-scientists of all venues 1. This is because single molecule imaging has the unique potential to reveal protein behavior in situ in living cells and uncover cellular organization with unprecedented resolution below the diffraction limit of visible light 2. Glass-supported planar lipid bilayers (SLBs) are a powerful tool to bring cells otherwise growing in suspension in close enough proximity to the glass slide so that they can be readily imaged in noise-reduced Total Internal Reflection illumination mode 3,4. They are very useful to study the protein dynamics in plasma membrane-associated events as diverse as cell-cell contact formation, endocytosis, exocytosis and immune recognition. Simple procedures are presented how to generate highly mobile protein-functionalized SLBs in a reproducible manner, how to determine protein mobility within and how to measure protein densities with the use of single molecule detection. It is shown how to construct a cost-efficient single molecule microscopy system with TIRF illumination capabilities and how to operate it in the experiment.

Preparation of protein-functionalized planar glass-supported lipid bilayers, determination of protein mobility within and measurement of protein densities is shown here. A roadmap to building a noise-reduced Total Internal Reflection microscope is outlined, which allows visualizing single bilayer-resident fluorochromes with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Singola molecola microscopia a fluorescenza su Planar bilayers supportati

In the course of a single decade single molecule microscopy has changed from being a secluded domain shared merely by physicists with a strong background ...