Cell compressibility studies utilizing noncontact hydrostatic pressure measurements on single living cells in a microchamber

A micro-optical-fluidic system (MOFS), which integrates a force generating device and an optical detector, is designed to measure the bulk modulus of a single living cell in real time under a controlled hydrostatic pressure. In this design, the accuracy of the bulk modulus measurement is improved because neither the force generating device nor the optical detector needs to be in contact with the cells. The MOFS device has been used to investigate the mechanotransduction of THP-1 human acute monocytic leukemia cells and the effects of the toxin lipopolysaccharide and colchicine on various properties of these cells.