Compression Force Measurement During Cell Spreading Using a Modified Atomic Force Microscope Available to Purchase

Mechanical forces play a critical role in the regulation of cell spreading and cytoskeletal organization. It has been demonstrated that the force required to compress a spread cell is significantly higher than that required to compress a cell with a rounded morphology [1]. This increase in force can not be attributed to morphological changes alone [2], highlighting the importance of cytoskeletal remodeling during cell spreading in the resistance of cells to compressive forces.