Universitat Ulm

Tobias Neckernuss

Othmar Marti

Daniel Geiger

An apparatus for detecting a spatial elongation of at least one adherent biological cell is provided. The apparatus contains at least one biological cell, which is adhered to a substrate, a laser for irradiating the at least one biological cell for a spatial elongation of the cell in a direction parallel to the irradiation direction and a detector for detecting the spatial elongation of the cell in the direction parallel to the radiation direction. Further, a corresponding method for spatial elongation of an adherent biological cell is provided and the uses of the apparatus and of the method proposed. Using the apparatus and method, it is possible to ascertain, from parts of adherent cells to entire groups of adherent cells, the mechanical properties in the natural, adherent state of the cell(s) in spatially selective, temporally selective and contactless fashion.

Apparatus and method for detecting a spatial elongation of at least one adherent biological cell

Disclosed is a method for analysing cells, in which cells are separated and the individual cells pass via a measurement region of a unit for spatially resolved radiation intensity measurement, wherein, for at least one of the separated cells, when passing via the measurement region, a time sequence of spatial intensity patterns of an electromagnetic radiation emitted from and/or influenced by the cell is created, the optical flow of a respective two of the spatial intensity patterns is calculated for at least one portion of the sequence of intensity patterns using a computer unit, and an evaluation of the calculated optical flows occurs. Also disclosed is a device for analysing cells, comprising a device for separating cells, a unit for spatially resolved radiation intensity measurement, and a computer unit for calculating the optical flow of a respective two of the created intensity patterns, and for evaluating the calculated optical flows.

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Eislingen, Germany

Tobias Neckernuss