Development of a microfluidic device with microcantilever sensor array for probing single cancer cells mechanics

A new design of microfluidic device with integrated microcantilever sensor array is proposed in this work for probing single cancer cells mechanics. Array of piezoresistive microcantilever with interdigitated microelectrode is used as a smart substrate for trapping cells by the mechanism of negative dielectrophoretic (nDEP) and for measuring the cellular contractile force induced by the trapped cells. The cantilever sensor design is optimized based on a mechanics model for higher cellular force sensitivity. Single cancer cells trapping and cellular contractile force measurement has been demonstrated under the normal cell culture medium and extracellular matrix coating on cantilever surface. By the proposed microfluidic device, a new platform for cell mechanics-based cancer research is promising.