The Material Measurement Laboratory at NIST conducts research to develop new measurement methods and standards for the reliability of laboratory-grown cells and tissues. Specifically, the interactions between implantable materials and the body is of interest. To address this issue we have developed a new single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) capability by atomic force microscopy (AFM). This technique provides highly quantitative measurements of adhesive interactions in terms of adhesive force, energy, and kinetics. Two possible systems are (1) Measuring cell adhesive interactions to the extracellular matrix (ECM), which are essential to many physiological and pathological processes. (2) Understanding of initial pathogenic bacteria adhesion to host surfaces is a prerequisite to the development of defense mechanisms for the host surface.

 

References

Chiang MYM, et al: Biomaterials 34: 9754-9762, 2013

Taubenberger AV, et al: Tissue Engineering Part B: 20, 2014

 

key words

AFM; Single-cell force spectroscopy; Cell-cell interaction; Cell-materials interaction; Cell adhesion; Tissue engineering; Antibacterial surfaces; Bioactive materials; Implant materials;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants