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Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research pp 355–377Cite as

Measuring Cell Adhesion Forces: Theory and Principles

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 736))

Abstract

Cell adhesion is an essential prerequisite for survival, communication, and navigation of cells in organisms. It is maintained by the organized binding of molecules from the cell membrane to the extracellular space. This chapter focuses on direct measurements of cellular binding strength at the level of single adhesion molecules. Using atomic force microscopy-based force measurements, adhesion strength can be monitored as a function of adhesion time and environmental conditions. In this way, cellular adhesion strategies like changes in affinity and avidity of adhesion molecules (e.g., integrins) are characterized as well as the molecular arrangement of adhesion molecules in the cell membrane (e.g., molecular clusters, focal adhesion spots, and linkage to the cytoskeleton or tether). Some prominent values for the data evaluation are presented as well as constraints and preparative techniques for successful cell adhesion force experiments.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the people involved in the projects described in this chapter, namely, Hermann Gaub, Günther Gerisch, Joachim Spatz, Horst Kessler, Angelika Kardinal, Thomas Nicolaus, and Michael Thie. Furthermore, we thankfully dedicate this chapter to Kristin Michael.

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  1. Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany

    Martin Benoit

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  1. Martin Benoit
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  2. Christine Selhuber-Unkel
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Correspondence to Martin Benoit .

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  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, Milano, 20129, Italy

    Pier Carlo Braga

  2. , Robotics, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy

    Davide Ricci

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Benoit, M., Selhuber-Unkel, C. (2011). Measuring Cell Adhesion Forces: Theory and Principles. In: Braga, P., Ricci, D. (eds) Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 736. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-105-5_21

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