Mechanical Analysis of ECM Fibers With Space-Time Image Correlation Spectroscopy and High-Speed Confocal Microscopy

Mechanical interactions between cells and the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) generate important regulatory cues; these cues are determined by the mechanical character of the ECM. Research shows that mechanical cell-matrix interactions play a major roll in cell phenotype. However, it is nearly impossible to quantify the mechanical properties of the ECM accurately because it is a highly heterogeneous system. Our project consists of two tasks with the objective of quantifying matrix mechanical properties. For the first task we are building a high-speed confocal microscope that utilizes a digital mirror device (DMD) to generate high-quality images of ECM rapidly. The image data generated by the microscope will be processed with a mathematical method known as space-time image correlation spectroscopy (STICS). From the processed images it is possible to derive the elastic storage modulus of individual fibers. With these measurements we will be able to accurately measure cell responses to these mechanical influences and gain a greater understanding of cellular regulatory mechanisms.