Non-Invasive Nanometer Resolution Assessment of Cell-Soft Hydrogel System Mechanical Properties by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy.

Biomimetic hydrogels have garnered increased interest due to their considerable potential for use in various fields, such as tissue engineering, 3D cell cultivation, and drug delivery. The primary challenge for applying hydrogels in tissue engineering is accurately evaluating their mechanical characteristics. In this context, we propose a method using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) to determine the rigidity of living human breast cancer cells MCF-7 cells grown on a soft, self-assembled Fmoc-FF peptide hydrogel.

Nanopipettes as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Selective Nanopore Detection of Biomolecules.

Nanopipettes, as a class of solid-state nanopores, have evolved into universal tools in biomedicine for the detection of biomarkers and different biological analytes. Nanopipette-based methods combine high sensitivity, selectivity, single-molecule resolution, and multifunctionality. The features have significantly expanded interest in their applications for the biomolecular detection, imaging, and molecular diagnostics of real samples.

Mechanical properties of soft hydrogels: assessment by scanning ion-conductance microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

The growing interest in biomimetic hydrogels is due to their successful applications in tissue engineering, 3D cell culturing and drug delivery. The major characteristics of hydrogels include swelling, porosity, degradation rate, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. Poor mechanical properties can be regarded as the main limitation for the use of hydrogels in tissue engineering, and advanced techniques for its precise evaluation are of interest.

Impact of Antioxidants on Mechanical Properties and ROS Levels of Neuronal Cells Exposed to β-Amyloid Peptide.

This study aims to investigate the potential role of antioxidants in oxidative stress and its consequent impact on the mechanical properties of neuronal cells, particularly the stress induced by amyloid-beta (1-42) (Aβ) aggregates. A key aspect of our research involved using scanning ion-conductance microscopy (SICM) to assess the mechanical properties (Young's modulus) of neuronal cells under oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured in single-cell using the electrochemical method by low-invasive Pt nanoelectrode.