Rapid optical measurement of cell-mechanical properties
Rapid optical measurement of cell-mechanical properties
Motivation for the investigation
Research conducted in the past couple of decades has unequivocally demonstrated that the mechanical (elastic and plastic) properties of cells [1,2] are strictly related to its state of health and function [3,4]. Detection of diseases, such as for instance cancer, can be achieved through the analysis of single cells [5], but typically at the cost of excessively lengthy measurements, which limit the idea to the realm of scientific interest, with no practical diagnostic applications.
The complexity of the practical problem is compounded by the existence of numerous mathematical models for cell elasticity [6] and differing measurement techniques [2]. As a result, depending on the chosen approach, widely differing results can be obtained when aksing the same questions [7], thus suppressing any practical use of cell mechanical measurements. The last factor which complicates matters if the intrinsic strong variability in behaviour from one cell to the (nominally identical) next one, which requires therefore an approach based on large statistics.
Promising avenues of development
This ensemble of problems points in the direction for the need of rapid and reliable measurements, which, by allowing the study of large samples of living cells, enable access to their average properties and for a characterization of the statistical distributions. In addition, the rapid accumulation of information also permits the use of the techniques at the clinical diagnostic level, where a few diseased specimen may have to be recognized among millions (for instance, in an early detection of illness). A clear vision of this path is clearly highlighted in [8].
Thesis project
In a collaborative project [9], we have been investigating the potential for interferometric measurements of cell size and deformation based on a cytometric-like flow in a acousto-optical cell. Following promising results, the currently proposed project continues along this avenue by considering a double acoustic control to form an adaptable "waveguide" for cells, where the ultrasonic acoustic wave controls the position and imposes a lateral stress on the sample.
The work is experimental and will be conducted in collaboration with the same research groups, where the acoustic expertise is localised in Southampton, the biomechanical one in Glasgow and the optical at UCA (Sophia Antipolis).
Applicant
The interested candidate should have a background in either Physics/Optics, Biophysics or Engineering.
Curricular excellence is required and interviews will be set up for candidate selection.
The Université Côte d'Azur UCA) has been selected as one of the top ten research intensive Universities in France and benefits from special support funding from the French Government.
Funding
At the present time, no specific funding is available for this project. The candidate is encouraged to contact me to explore together the possibilities for find specific funding.
References
[1] E. Moeendarbary and A.R. Harris, WIREs Syst. Biol. Med. 6, 371-388 (2014).
[2] J. Chen, Interf. Focus 4, 20130055 (2014).
[3] G. Tomaioulo, Biomicrofl. 8, 051501 (2014).
[4] M.N. Starodubtseva, Ageing Research Rev. 10, 16-25 (2011).
[5] J. Guck et al., Biophys. J. 88, 3689-3698 (2005).
[6] C.T. Lima, E.H. Zhoua, and S.T. Quek, J. Biomech. 39, 195-216 (2006).
[7] P.-H. Wu et al., Nature Methods 15, 491-498 (2018).
[8] J. Guck, Biophys. Rev. 11, 667-670 (2019).
[9] Collaboration with M. Vassalli (University of Glasgow) and P. Glynne-Jones (University of Southampton) -- work on the the first project is done by Ph.D. Candidate J. Mejía (thesis completion: end 2020-beginning 2021).