Monitoring the mass, eigenfrequency, and quality factor of mammalian cells.

The regulation of mass is essential for the development and homeostasis of cells and multicellular organisms. However, cell mass is also tightly linked to cell mechanical properties, which depend on the time scales at which they are measured and change drastically at the cellular eigenfrequency. So far, it has not been possible to determine cell mass and eigenfrequency together.

Tailoring the Sensitivity of Microcantilevers To Monitor the Mass of Single Adherent Living Cells.

Microcantilevers are widely employed as mass sensors for biological samples, from single molecules to single cells. However, the accurate mass quantification of living adherent cells is impaired by the microcantilever's mass sensitivity and cell migration, both of which can lead to detect masses mismatching by ≫50%. Here, we design photothermally actuated microcantilevers to optimize the accuracy of cell mass measurements.

Magnetically guided virus stamping for the targeted infection of single cells or groups of cells.

To understand and control complex tissues, the ability to genetically manipulate single cells is required. However, current delivery methods for the genetic engineering of single cells, including viral transduction, suffer from limitations that restrict their application. Here we present a protocol that describes a versatile technique that can be used for the targeted viral infection of single cells or small groups of cells in any tissue that is optically accessible.