Noninvasive Analysis and Manipulation of Single Cells Using MEMS Devices

9807384AllenMEMS（微机电系统）领域已经开发出微型测量仪器，它们进入生物学研究将为微生物学研究增加一个全新的维度。 MEMS致动器具有适合于亚微米级探测的长度尺度，并将在生物测量能力方面提供巨大的飞跃，用于在单细胞水平上表征健康细胞和病理细胞，而不会破坏它们。 我们将同时应用两种新的MEMS微仪器来研究单个小鼠胚胎发育的早期阶段。 我们将探测胚胎以测量胚胎的内部流体压力、粘度、动态响应和胚胎漂流的弹性，并同时测量胚胎的热活动（热量计）。 因此，这一项目将为发起一个涉及所有类型细胞的更大项目提供必要的基础。

9807384AllenMiniaturized measurement instruments have been developed in the field of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) and their entry into biological studies will add a whole new dimension for investigations in microbiology. The MEMS actuators have a length scale appropriate for probing on the sub-micron level and will provide a quantum leap in biological measurement capability for characterizing healthy as well as pathological cells at the single cell level, without destroying them. We will simultaneously apply two new MEMS micro-instruments to a study of the early stages of development of a single mouse embryo. We will probe the embryo to measure the embryo's internal fluid pressure, viscosity, dynamic response and elasticity of the embryo waft, and simultaneously measure the thermal activity (caloritnetry) of the embryo. This project will thus provide the essential groundwork for launching a larger project involving all types of cells.***