Deney Föyü, ss.1-10, 2024
Advancements in cellular biomechanics have laid the foundation for novel diagnostic tools, yet
measuringcellstiffnessremainschallengingduetothedisruptioncausedbytraditionalmethods,such
as atomic force microscopy (AFM) or optical stretching. Our study introduces a new non-invasive
holographic sensor system that overcomes these challenges by using real-time holographic imaging
and acoustic stimulation. This sensor employs an off-axis Mach-Zehnder interferometer with bulk
acoustic waves to capture and analyze the mechanical responses of cells. Unlike AFM and optical
techniquesthatareinvasiveorrequirespecializedequipment,oursensorprovideslabel-freeandhigh-
throughput measurements. It also preserves cellular integrity, making it ideal forsensitive diagnostic
and research applications. Preliminary tests on polyacrylamide beads, which mimic cell stiffness,
demonstrate high precision and consistency across measurements, underscoring its potential utility
in early cancer detection, disease progression monitoring, and mechanobiological research.