Detection of cellular traction forces by microfabricated Si force sensors

Paper in proceeding, 2004

To investigate mechanical cell-substrate interactions, we have microfabricated force-sensitive cell adhesion substrates by micropatterning silicon wafers. Sub-cellular forces are measured by imaging independent deflections of vertical micro-cantilevers in the 2D plane of the surface. These substrates model surfaces of different elasticity and porosity, as well as quantify direction and magnitude of sub-cellular forces.