Cell adhesion force microscopy

The adhesion forces of cervical carcinoma cells in tissue culture were meas ured by using the manipulation force microscope, a novel atomic force micro scope. The forces were studied as a function of time and temperature for ce lls cultured on hydrophilic and hydrophobic polystyrene substrates with pre adsorbed proteins. The cells attached faster and stronger at 37 degrees C t han at 23 degrees C and better on hydrophilic than on hydrophobic substrate s, even though proteins adsorb much better to the hydrophobic substrates. B ecause cell adhesion serves to control several stages in the cell cycle, we anticipate that the manipulation force microscope can help clarify some ce ll-adhesion related issues.