Atomic Force Microscopy

CellHesion 300

Automated, quantitative single-cell and tissue mechanics

CellHesion® 300

The automated CellHesion® 300 is the ideal tool for measuring cell-cell, cell-tissue, and cell-substrate interactions with single-molecule sensitivity. It enables fast and easy measurement of the structure, morphology, and nanomechanical properties of living biological systems, delivering crucial insights into the role they play in various pathological disorders. This innovative system creates novel possibilities for applications in biophysics, biochemistry, implant research, wound healing, developmental biology, stem cell research, infection biology and immune response studies.

Higher Throughput
Improved Productivity
Automated processes and increased sample size deliver the statistical significance necessary in biomedical and pre-clinical research.
Biomechanics
SmartMapping Feature
Fast and easy selection of multiple regions of interest over large sample areas. Flexible, user-defined 2D shaped force maps.
Label-free Measurements
Tissue Biopsies
Multiparametric, nanomechanical characterization of living samples in near-physiological conditions. Ideal for multi-layered cell structures and soft, highly topographic tissue samples.
Features

Understanding Biomechanics Made Easy

CellHesion 300 provides reproducible, quantitative data of unprecedented quality. Its high degree of automation increases throughput and delivers the productivity, performance, and statistical significance required for biomedical and clinical research environments. Important parameters, such as maximum adhesion force, individual unbinding events, and tether characteristics are automatically determined from each dataset by innovative software solutions.

 

Only CellHesion 300 delivers:

  • Maximized throughput for higher productivity by automating measurements
  • Correlative and label-free multiparametric, nanomechanical measurements of living samples in near-physiological conditions
  • Fast and simple selection of regions of interest over large sample areas, ideal for tissue biopsies
  • Systematic workflow with visual support

 

 

Left: Probe with a single 3T3 fibroblast (green, FDA staining) attached for cell adhesion measurements on a substrate or target cells. Right: In a Single Cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS) experiment, a single living cell is biochemically bound to a probe (e.g., via functionalization). The cell is brought into contact with the binding target and a defined force applied to the cell (1). After a user-defined binding period, the cell is separated from target by retracting the probe (2). The resistance to separation is measured by quantification of the probe deflection.
Violin plots showing the distribution of Detachment Energy (W), Force (F), and Distance (D), determined by Single Cell Force Spectroscopy detachment measurements between a single 3T3 mouse fibroblast and a polyacrylamide hydrogel (50kPa) with different coatings. Sample courtesy of Dr. Stephanie Wedepohl, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.

"Automatic mechanical screening of highly topographic samples with the CellHesion 300 is of great advantage for tissue characterization in the clinical context."


Prof. Dr. Ansgar Petersen
BIH, Center for Regenerative Therapies
Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany

Performing Automated Multi-Parametric Nanomechanical Mapping

State-of-the-art software, intuitive user guidance, and automated alignment of the detection system provide the key to autonomous operation and fast results.
The new CellHesion 300 user interface gives the operator quick and easy control of the system and its operating parameters.

The software offers an easy-to-use scripting tool for user-defined experiments. Powerful batch data processing capabilities enable the analysis and quantification of large datasets at the touch of a button.

 


Discover the Possibilities

Mapping of the viscoelastic properties of samples with a large topography range, over an extended frequency scale with an optional Z-scanner and NestedScanner capabilities

Studying living cells under near-physiological conditions with an extensive range of accessories for control of environmental conditions, such as temperature and CO2 levels

Automate Investigation of Large Samples

The new SmartMapping feature enables the selection of flexible, user-defined 2D shaped force maps. The optimal range of force acquisition is continuously evaluated and automatically adjusted by new large-scaled Z-motors. Using optical tiling, multiple areas of interest can be selected in advance and automatically examined, allowing the easy and effective study of large sample areas. The improved motorized stage accuracy delivers a degree of precision and velocity second to none.

 

Integrate Seamlessly with Optical Microscopes

CellHesion 300 can be seamlessly integrated into the latest research grade optical microscopes with advanced and super-resolution capabilities, to deliver real-time, correlative data sets for the comprehensive characterization of living biological samples. Versatile experimental setups and automated adjustment
of system parameters opens new possibilities for long-term, self-regulating experiment series. CellHesion 300 is the ideal solution for the investigation of rough surfaces, densely packed cell layers, and highly corrugated tissue samples.

Force maps of user-defined shapes on a cross-section of sheep muscle tissue overlayed with an optical fluorescence tiling image (scalebar 100 µm). Muscle fibers, rich in actin filaments, were stained with phalloidin-TRITC (red) and cell nuclei with DAPI (blue). Internal dark areas depict unlabeled connective tissue. Force maps were acquired in SmartMapping mode and illustrate the combined height measurement of samples with large topographies. Upper inset: Distribution of Young’s modulus values. Lower inset: Plot of storage modulus and loss modulus at 2 different positions on the tissue sample (blue circle and orange square). Sheep muscle sample also used for cover image. Sample courtesy of Prof. Dr. Ansgar Petersen, BIH, Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany.
CellHesion 300 setup on Zeiss Axio Observer inverted microscope with intuitive software interface.

Selection of Scientific Publications Using the CellHesion Technology

  • Abuhattum et al., Adipose cells and tissues soften with lipid accumulation while in diabetes adipose tissue stiffens. Sci Rep 12, 10325 (2022).
  • Michael et al., Measuring the elastic modulus of soft culture surfaces and three-dimensional hydrogels using atomic force microscopy. Nat Protoc 16, 2418–2449 (2021).
  • Liebsch et al., Quantification of heparin’s antimetastatic effect by single-cell force spectroscopy. J Mol Recognit. 34, e2854 (2021).
  • Möllmert et al., Zebrafish Spinal Cord Repair Is Accompanied by Transient Tissue Stiffening. Biophys J. 118(2), 448-463 (2020).
  • Shen et al., Reduction of Liver Metastasis Stiffness Improves Response to Bevacizumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Cell 37(6), 800-817 (2020).
  • Rheinlaender et al., Cortical cell stiffness is independent of substrate mechanics, Nat. Mater. 19, 1019–1025 (2020).
  • Aaron at al., Quantification of heparin's antimetastatic effect by single-cell force spectroscopy, J Mol Recognit., 1–11 (2020).
  • Krieg et al., Atomic force microscopy- based Mechanobiology, Nature Reviews Physics 1, 41–57 (2019)
  • Stylianou et al., Review Article: Atomic Force Microscopy on Biological Materials Related to Pathological Conditions, Andreas, Scanning, 8452851 (2019)
  • Thompson et al., Rapid changes in tissue mechanics regulate cell behaviour in the developing embryonic brain. eLife 8:e39356 (2019)
  • Miroshnikova et al., Adhesion forces and cortical tension couple cell proliferation and differentiation to drive epidermal stratification, Nat Cell Biol 20, 69–80 (2018)
  • Elias et al., Tissue stiffening coordinates morphogenesis by triggering collective cell migration in vivo, Nature 554, 523-527 (2018)
  • Bharadwaj et al., aV-class integrins exert dual roles on a5b1 integrins to strengthen adhesion to fibronectin, Nature Communications 8, 14348, 1-10 (2017)
  • Friedrichs et al., A practical guide to quantify cell adhesion using single-cell force spectroscopy. Methods (2013)
Applications

CellHesion Data Gallery

Bruker’s BioAFMs allow life science and biophysics researchers to further their investigations in the fields of cell mechanics and adhesion, mechanobiology, cell-cell and cell-surface interactions, cell dynamics, and cell morphology. We have collected a gallery of images demonstrating a few of these applications.

Accessories

The Widest Range of Accessories in the Market

Optical systems/accessories, electrochemistry solutions, electrical sample characterization, environmental control options, software modules, temperature control, acoustic and vibration isolation solutions and more. Bruker provides you with the right accessories to control your sample conditions and to perform successful experiments.  

Webinars

Watch Recent BioAFM Webinars

Our webinars cover best practices, introduce new products, provide quick solutions to tricky questions, and offer ideas for new applications, modes, or techniques.

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