1. Cellular and subcellular biomechanical testing of biologics
Nishikawa Laboratory
Center for Bioengineering Innovation
Northern Arizona University

2. Biomechanics testing apparatus
High-resolution video
37 nm/pixel resolution;
~150 nm system resolution
60 pictures per second
Piezo motor
Length or velocity control
Micropump
Inject drugs or chemicals
Force transducer
Measure picoNewton forces

3. Example experiment: stretch a single myofibril
Relaxed
Fluorescence
Activated
Stretched

4. Automated digitizing

5. Potential applications
Biomechanical testing of fibers, tissues or cells
Perturb length and/or chemical environment
Measure tensile forces
Label with fluorescent antibodies with auto-tracking of tissue deformation