Microfabricated substrates for the remote generation of precision forces on single cells via intracellular magnetic fluorescent nanoparticles

Abstract

A microfabrication process has been investigated and developed for the precision alignment of electroplated ferromagnetic elements with biological cells that are shaped by patterned fibronectin on transparent slides. In addition, we investigate one technique enabled by this process, which is the massively parallel generation of forces on single cells via internalized magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles. Large magnetic field gradients generated by magnetizing the elements in close proximity to the cells allows the remote generation of large forces on single cells via intracellular localization of nanoparticles, which are capable of polarizing cell shape and activity.