Cantilever array for measuring traction forces of cells in a confined space

Abstract

This paper reports a sensor to directly measure the traction forces generated by migrating cells in a confined space. The sensor consists of an array of miniaturized piezoresistive cantilevers which are surrounded by a pluronic-F127 pattern. The pattern allows the self-alignment and directional migration of the cells to the cantilever array as the adhesion of cells to pluronic-F127 is poor. Our method enables the quantitative evaluation of the traction forces of cells with controlled migrating direction.