Prototype of a rapid assay for cellular mechanotransduction

Many key cellular interactions involve mechanotransduction (MT), whereby forces applied by other cells or by the matrix lead to biochemical and morphological sequellae. Since MT may be a useful target of molecular therapies, I have developed a rapid assay for it: the flow cytomechanical assay (FCMA). The assay exposes suspended cells to graded hydrostatic challenges prior to their entry into a standard flow cytometer. Preliminary results on 7 cell types have shown that FCMA can measure key aspects of MT at a rate of 10,000 cells per minute. FCMA could be a useful screening tool for agents and materials that involve MT.