Mechanics and dynamics of biological adhesion

Mechanics and dynamics of cellular contacts

We attach single cells to a cantilever and probe quantitatively cell-substrate adhesion. We analyse substratum adhesion on elastic substartes or during development in terms of e.g. maximum adhesion force FMax.Adh. and work of adhesion WAdh. (Figure 2).

 

Figure 2:
W_Adh. and F_Max.Adh are reduced during early development of Dictyostelium cells.