Impetux at Nanoengineering for Mechanobiology N4M 2024

Impetux at Nanoengineering for Mechanobiology N4M 2024

Feb 28, 2024

7th Nanoengineering for Mechanobiology Conference to Showcase Cutting-Edge Research in Mechanobiology

Camogli, Genova, Italy – Calling all mechanobiology enthusiasts! Get ready for the 7th edition of the Nanoengineering for Mechanobiology Conference (N4M2024) scheduled to take place from March 3rd to 7th in the picturesque setting of Camogli, Genova, Italy.

DATE: 3rd to 7th March 2024

Featuring a vibrant mix of presentations, lectures, poster sessions and networking, N4M2024 is poised to be a hub of innovation and collaboration, showcasing the latest advancements in mechanobiology.

IMPETUX is thrilled to announce its participation, where we’ll be spotlighting our cutting-edge SENSOCELL optical tweezers. Discover how our technology extends force measurements and mechanical characterization across in vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo samples, offering insights into cell membrane mechanics, intracellular microrheology, and stress-relaxation tests.

Mark your calendars for March 4th as we dive deep into the capabilities and applications of SENSOCELL optical tweezers during our talk at the Nanomechanics and Mechanosensing session.

Don’t forget to also swing by our exhibition booth or attend to live demonstrations of SENSOCELL optical tweezers throughout the conference. We will be providing a chande to witness our groundbreaking Technology in action and an opportunity to engage directly with our team.

Ready to explore the future of mechanobiology? Sign up for our demo here

 

For more details about the conference, visit the conference website here.

Join us at N4M2024!

 

 

In the mean time: Want to know how SENSOCELL optical tweezers enables unprecedented experiments in Mechanobiology research? Check our applications page or contact us and let’s have a quick chat!

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Recent Breakthroughs in Biophysics and Cellular Mechanics Research with SENSOCELL Optical Tweezers

Recent Breakthroughs in Biophysics and Cellular Mechanics Research with SENSOCELL Optical Tweezers

Oct 31, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of biophysics and cellular mechanics, three recent publications have shed new light on the intricate processes that govern cellular behavior and mechanotransduction, with the aid of SENSOCELL optical tweezers from IMPETUX. From liquid-to-solid phase transitions in neuronal condensates to the impact of mechanical stress on nuclear modifications and the development of innovative optical tweezers for active microrheology, these studies offer exciting insights into the world of cell biology.

 

A Transition in Neuronal Mechanotransduction:

A groundbreaking study titled “A MEC-2/stomatin condensate liquid-to-solid phase transition controls neuronal mechanotransduction during touch sensing”  and published in Nature Cell Biology, has illuminated the dynamic nature of biomolecular condensates. Utilizing SENSOCELL optical tweezers from IMPETUX, the research conducted using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model reveals that MEC-2/stomatin condensates switch between a 

fluid-like and a solid-like state, facilitating transport and mechanotransduction. This transformation is initiated by the interaction between the SH3 domain of UNC-89 (titin/obscurin) and MEC-2. This discovery implies a crucial role for these condensates in frequency-dependent force transmission in mechanosensitive neurons during body wall touch, expanding our understanding of their biological significance.

 

Mechanical Stress and Nuclear Alterations in Leukemia Cells:

The publication titled “Mechanical stress confers nuclear and functional changes in derived leukemia cells from persistent confined migration” delves into the effects of mechanical stress on cellular migration. The study reveals that persistent migration through physical barriers, leads to permanent modifications in migratory-altered cells. These changes encompass alterations in lamin B1 localization, cell morphology, and transcription. Additionally, migratory-altered cells exhibit functional differences in DNA repair, response to chemotherapy, and cell migration. The research suggests that mechanical compression during persistent cell migration contributes to stable nuclear and genomic alterations, potentially playing a role in aging diseases and cancer.

 

Innovative Optical Tweezers for Cellular Microrheology:

The third study, “Time-shared optical tweezers for active microrheology inside cells,” introduces a novel technique for studying cellular mechanics using again our SENSOCELL system. Traditional methods rely on multiple laser beams to trap and measure displacements and forces, making the setup complex. This new method offers a solution by employing a single trapping beam through the time-sharing mode of an optical micromanipulation unit modulated with acousto-optic deflectors, showcasing the versatility and efficiency of  SENSOCELL in cellular microrheology studies.

 

These recent publications and its results obtained with the cutting-edge SENSOCELL optical tweezers by IMPETUX, mark significant advancements in the understanding of cellular mechanics, with implications for fields ranging from neurobiology to cancer research. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of these complex processes, the future holds great promise for the development of innovative DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURES in various medical domains.

 

You can have a look at more interesting publications related with our technology at the Scientific Publications section in our website.

 

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New available job position at IMPETUX

New available job position at IMPETUX

Apr 25, 2023

If you are passionate about technology, and want to join our team and contribute to create the latest generation of scientific instruments, have a look at this new job offer:

Electronics engineer new position

 

 

 

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SENSOCELL used to demonstrate the mechanism tissues use to regulate their sensitivity to mechanical signals

SENSOCELL used to demonstrate the mechanism tissues use to regulate their sensitivity to mechanical signals

Mar 11, 2022

We are delighted to share a new publication that shows another interesting application of SENSOCELL.

The paper is titled:

The laminin-keratin link shields the nucleus from mechanical deformation and signaling

By: Zanetta Kechagia, Pablo Sáez, Manuel Gómez-González, Martín Zamarbide, Ion Andreu, Thijs Koorman, Amy E.M. Beedle, Patrick W.B. Derksen, Xavier Trepat, Marino Arroyo,  Pere Roca-Cusachs

It is a pre-print, and you will find it here.

In this work, the labs of Pere Roca-Cusachs and Xavier Trepat (IBEC, Barcelona) investigate how the rigidity of a laminin based extracellular environment influence mechanotransduction in mammary epithelial cell models.

Cells are subjected to continuous reciprocal interactions with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM parameters such as its composition or mechanical properties shape cellular responses, from development and tissue morphogenesis to tissue repair and homeostasis. Abnormal cell-ECM interactions drive pathological conditions such as cancer and fibrosis and are promising targets for therapeutic interventions.

The authors use SENSOCELL optical tweezers to show that the laminin-integrin β4-keratin link can change the mechanical resistance of the cytoskeleton, they carried out optical tweezer experiments: 1 μm silica beads were coated with laminin or fibronectin and placed them in contact with the cell surface until they attached. Then, an oscillatory signal of 0.35 μm amplitude was applied with a frequency of 1 Hz upon bead attachment to integrin β4 or β4R1281W overexpressing cells. Upon consecutive cycles of bead oscillations, a gradual increase in the mechanical resistance of the cytoskeleton was observed, as quantified by the complex shear modulus G*.

The complex shear modulus G* was measured for each oscillation cycle using the LightACE built-in Micro-rheology routine. The G* modulus was computed by determining the force by means of the calibration-free “momentum method” while particle position was obtained using the measured stiffness of the trap.

These experiments show that direct local force application to laminin-integrin β4-keratin connections increases the mechanical resistance of the cytoskeleton. These results indicate that a stable connection of keratins with the laminin substrate can in fact alter the mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton, eventually affecting the mechanical resistance of the cells.

Congratulations to all the people involved !

 

📌For more information about how SENSOCELL can help you in your research projects, please contact us.

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IMPETUX at BPS 2022

IMPETUX at BPS 2022

Feb 7, 2022

Join us at BPS 2022!

66th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting

February 19-23, 2022 | Sant Francisco, California, USA

 

We are looking forward to participating in the Biophysical Society’s 66th Annual Meeting in San Francisco .

→You can find us at Axiom Optics booth  #502 (our USA distributor booth)

 

Join our presentation to discover how SENSOCELL platform and its exclusive technology provide a flexible, easy and speedy manner to perform  state-of-the-art experiments in Mechanobiology.

SAVE THE DATE !

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

ESPLANADE, ROOM 158

 

Join Impetux CEO, Oriol Nos Aguilà, for a presentation on the SENSOCELL: Optical Tweezers integrating direct force spectroscopy & correlated fluorescence imaging for extra- and intracellular mechanobiology. The talk will introduce the key distinctive features of the technology and show examples and results obtained by customers & scientific collaborators for applications in living cells.

Meet us and discover how to take further your research !

You can download the summary of the talk here.

📌If you are interested in how our SENSOCELL optical tweezers system can help you in your Mechanobiology research projects check our applications page or contact us any time!

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Postdoctoral job positions for 2 biophysicists available at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL)

Postdoctoral job positions for 2 biophysicists available at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL)

Nov 25, 2021

Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biophysics and Synthetic Biology at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

 

More info on the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biophysics and Synthetic Biology

More info on the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Micro/Nano BioRobotics

 

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SENSOCELL in Japan: at the Most Advanced Exhibition for Scientific/Analytical Systems and Solutions

SENSOCELL in Japan: at the Most Advanced Exhibition for Scientific/Analytical Systems and Solutions

Nov 15, 2021

SENSOCELL  at JASIS 2021, the Japan Analytical & Scientific Instruments Show :

SENSOCELL has been presented at the Most Advanced Exhibition for Scientific/Analytical  Systems and Solutions in Japan:

 

 

The JASIS WebExpo remains open until March 2022

If interested in information about SENSOCELL in Japanese, the online exhibition makes possible to access anytime from anywhere to registered JASIS members.

If you have missed the presentation and are interested in information about SENSOCELL in Japanese,  you will find more information here.

In case you are not registered to this event  but yet interested in getting information about the SENSOCELL Optical Tweezers platform , do not hesitate to contact our distributor  here.

 

📌For more information about how SENSOCELL can help you in your research projects, have a look at our customer stories section or directly contact us here.

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Soft condensed matter, nonlinear rheology and SENSOCELL

Soft condensed matter, nonlinear rheology and SENSOCELL

Nov 4, 2021

We are delighted to share a new publication that shows another interesting application of SENSOCELL:

Non-equilibrium fluctuations and nonlinear response of an active bath

 Hunter Seyforth, Mauricio Gomez, W. Benjamin Rogers, Jennifer L. Ross, Wylie W. Ahmed

In this work, Dr Ahmed, the leader of the  Laboratory for Soft, Living, and Active Matter at the Califronaia State University Fullerton, together with   Dr Syforth and Dr Gomez from the same university , Dr Rogers from the Brandeis University and Dr Ross from the Syracuse University, analyze the dynamics of a passive colloidal probe immersed in an active bath using Optical tweezers in combination with our force spectroscopy technology .

(more…)

Mechanical cues trigger neuronal activity and ion channel receptors

Mechanical cues trigger neuronal activity and ion channel receptors

Sep 20, 2021

Mechanical forces regulate neuronal activity during C. elegans locomotion:

 

Finally! The latest paper from the Neurophotonics & Mechanical Systems Biology group  at ICFO has been published in SCIENCE ADVANCES.

In this work entitled “An asymmetric mechanical code ciphers curvature-dependent proprioceptor activity”, the mechanical activation of neuronal activity in C. elegans is studied by means of genome editing, modelling and direct force spectroscopy integrated in SENSOCELL optical tweezers. The system is also combined with spinning-disk confocal microscopy to monitor Ca2+ ion channel dynamics during axon membrane tether extrusion experiments.

(more…)

New protocol for the study of subcellular mechanics in confinement

New protocol for the study of subcellular mechanics in confinement

Sep 3, 2021

The study of subcellular mechanics is essential to understand how, among other biological processes, cells proliferate, migrate or differentiate. Indeed, cells, decode mechanical signals via the presence of force-sensitive subcellular and molecular elements that transduce mechanical information into specific signaling pathways controlling cell behavior, cell fate, and cell mechanics. Now, these kind of studies are possible with a new protocol using SENSOCELL optical tweezers developed by the Neurophotonics & Mechanical Systems Biology lab at ICFO and the Ruprecht lab at CRG.

Sounds interesting? Then check their latest article published at JOVE Journal and keep reading!

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers.

Frederic Català-Castro, Valeria Venturini, Santiago Ortiz-Vásquez, Verena Ruprecht, Michael Krieg. J. Vis. Exp.(174), e62865, doi:10.3791/62865 (2021).

In this article, the authors describe in detail a new method to measure the forces and material properties that shape the cell nucleus inside living cells, exemplified on adherent cells and mechanically confined cells. According to the authors, the presented method is straightforward and can easily be extended to investigate the mechanics of other subcellular compartments, e.g., mitochondria, stress-fibers, and endosomes.

A unique setup combining optical tweezers, direct force spectroscopy and spinning disk confocal imaging.

The measurements can be performed non-invasively with optical traps inside cells, and the forces are directly accessible through Impetux’s exclusive technology based on calibration-free detection of light momentum. This allows measuring the mechanics of the nucleus independently from cell surface deformations and allowing dissection of exteroceptive and interoceptive mechanotransduction pathways. Importantly, the trapping experiment can be combined with optical microscopy to investigate the cellular response and subcellular dynamics using fluorescence imaging of the cytoskeleton, calcium ions, or nuclear morphology.

To deep into the details of this work have a look at the article here.

Enjoy the reading!

Congratulations to the authors!

📌If you are interested in how our optical tweezers system: SENSOCELL can be used for cell micro-rheology measurements, cell nucleus indentation experiments, neuron mechanosensation studies, among others applications, you can have a look at the application section or directly contact us.

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Key advances in optical manipulation for biophotonics

Key advances in optical manipulation for biophotonics

Jul 14, 2021

Our direct force spectroscopy technology considered to be among the main key advances in optical manipulation for biophotonics.

The IMPETUX’s exclusive technology to measure forces inside living cells and tissues has been considered one of the key advances in the field of optical manipulation of the last decade in the recent review by Dr. Stella Corsetti and Prof. Kishan Dholakia:

“Optical manipulation: advances for biophotonics in the 21st century”

J. of Biomedical Optics, 26(7), 070602 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.26.7.070602

 

We cannot be more proud and honored to see that our work is recognized among the best experts in the field and we are thrilled to contribute in the expansion of the optical manipulation capabilities with such an important advance for quantitative force measurement in biological systems.

You can read the publication here.

 

📌 You can also check the multiple advantages of our distinctive direct force spectroscopy technology here. SENSOCELL is the only system in the market integrating this technology. Have a look at this and other extraordinary features of our SENSOCELL optical tweezers platform here.

We are providing a technology that is currently allowing to deepen our understanding of fundamental biological processes and that is exciting! Want to know more? contact us!.

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Understanding how cells respond to directly applied forces and to passive mechanical stimuli with SENSOCELL force spectroscopy technology

Understanding how cells respond to directly applied forces and to passive mechanical stimuli with SENSOCELL force spectroscopy technology

Jul 11, 2021

It is known that physical forces regulate cell response and determine essential processes.

In the publication :

The force loading rate drives cell mechanosensing through both reinforcement and fluidization

Ion Andreu, Bryan Falcones, Sebastian Hurst, Nimesh Chahare, Xarxa Quiroga, Anabel-Lise Le Roux, Zanetta Kechagia, Amy E.M. Beedle, Alberto Elósegui-Artola, Xavier Trepat, Ramon Farré, Timo Betz, Isaac Almendros, Pere Roca-Cusachs.

Nature Communications 12 | 4229 (2021) | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24383-3

 

the authors show how physical forces drive mechanosensing by applying dynamic force regimes to cells through different techniques including Optical Tweezers.

To measure the forces applied on cells with Optical Tweezers, they use the SENSOCELL force sensor module: Lunam T-40i. This module integrates our unique force spectroscopy technology allowing direct access to the forces applied by the optical tweezers on any trapped object without requiring any tedious and prone-to-error calibration process.

The authors found different responses depending on the forces applied and show how these similar behaviors are seen at the organ level.

This work provides a unifying mechanism to understand how cells respond not only to directly applied forces, but also to passive mechanical stimuli such as tissue rigidity or ECM ligand Distribution.

To deep into the details of this work have a look at the article here.

You can also read the interesting highlight of this article by Jessica L. Teo here.

Enjoy the reading!

Congratulations to the authors!

 

📌If you are interested in how our optical tweezers system: SENSOCELL can be used for cell micro-rheology measurements, cell nucleus indentation experiments, neuron mechanosensation studies, among others applications,  do not hesitate to have a look at the application section or directly contact us.

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