Applications of MEMS to cell biology

Abstract

Relatively simple microscale devices such as cantilevers already have found distinct applications in the study of cells and subcellular structures. The ability to measure small forces, small features, and small masses has led to unique and elegant measurement solutions. In this chapter, we give a brief background of some relevant fundamental biology and provide examples of research in cell biology, ranging from mechanobiology, physiology, microbiology to cancer biology, where MEMS- and NEMS-based methods have had a significant and, most likely, lasting impact.