Multiple trap optical tweezers for cell force measurements

Adherent cells establish transient adhesion sites that serve as stable anchors of the cell cytoskeleton to the substrate and concomitantly allow for force transduction and cell motility. We established a multiple trap optical tweezers system for non-invasive cell force measurements at individual adhesion sites. A force study was conducted to analyze the impact of bead functionalization, adhesion site area, location, spacing, and orientation as well as the role of vinculin on adhesion formation.