Integrating nanoindentation with confocal microscopy for improved mechanical and structural characterisation of cells, tissues and biomaterials

The research consortium applies for a novel nanoindenter system that can be used to indent very small and soft samples in a liquid environment, making it ideal for the mechanical characterization of living cells, soft hydrated tissues and biomaterials. The nanoindenter can be mounted onto any inverted optical microscope, including a confocal laser scanning microscope. The combination of nanoindentation with confocal microscopy enables to indent cells, tissues and materials and at the same time monitor their internal three-dimensional structure and deformation. This is a major advantage with respect to existing atomic force microscopes at KU Leuven, which are not equipped with a confocal microscope, and therefore do not allow to acquire mechanical and 3D structural information simultaneously. The nanoindenter would therefore enable the research consortium to generate unique datasets on mechanical and structural properties of cells, tissues and biomaterials that are currently not feasible at KU Leuven.

Keywords:nanoindentation

Disciplines:Biomechanics