Towards an on-chip platform for the controlled application of forces via magnetic particles: A novel device for mechanobiology

In-vitro tests and analyses are of fundamental importance for investigating biological mechanisms in cells and bio-molecules. The controlled application of forces to activate specific bio-pathways and investigate their effects, mimicking the role of the cellular environment, is becoming a prominent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2015-05, Vol.117 (17)
Main Authors: Monticelli, M., Albisetti, E., Petti, D., Conca, D. V., Falcone, M., Sharma, P. P., Bertacco, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beads
Ferrous alloys
Magnetic alloys
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Summary:In-vitro tests and analyses are of fundamental importance for investigating biological mechanisms in cells and bio-molecules. The controlled application of forces to activate specific bio-pathways and investigate their effects, mimicking the role of the cellular environment, is becoming a prominent approach in this field. In this work, we present a non-invasive magnetic on-chip platform which allows for the manipulation of magnetic particles, through micrometric magnetic conduits of Permalloy patterned on-chip. We show, from simulations and experiments, that this technology permits to exert a finely controlled force on magnetic beads along the chip surface. This force can be tuned from few to hundreds pN by applying a variable external magnetic field.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4917191