Validation of magnetic induced deformation on HeLa cells by utilizing Micro-ESPI

One key aspect of biomechanical research is the analysis of biological samples and their behavior under stress. Such correlations can provided insights regarding complex processes such as the cell cycle or the progression of diseases. Commonly, a change of physical characteristic is caused by a shift of the cellular integrity itself, which is mostly a result of a biochemical process. Therefore, the field of biomechanical research depends on high-resolution measurement technology. However, most methods are either limited to a specific type of cell or even alter the cells or their environment due to additional preparation steps. Consequently, cells are no longer in their original state and only provides an approximation. To achieve reliable results, a high resolution measurement technology and a gentle stimulation method are needed. In terms of this work, a different approach utilizing a modified ESPI setup and two types of ferro-particles is presented. By exposing the prepared specimen to an electro-magnetic field it has been possible to induce a local displacement and to monitor the deformation with the adapted ESPI setup.