The Role of Nanomechanics in Healthcare

Abstract

Nanomechanics has played a vital role in pushing our capability to detect, probe, and manipulate the biological species, such as proteins, cells, and tissues, paving way to a deeper knowledge and superior strategies for healthcare. Nanomechanical characterization techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, nanotribology, optical tweezers, and other hybrid techniques have been utilized to understand the mechanics and kinetics of biospecies. Investigation of the mechanics of cells and tissues has provided critical information about mechanical characteristics of host body environments. This information has been utilized for developing biomimetic materials and structures for tissue engineering and artificial implants. This review summarizes nanomechanical characterization techniques and their potential applications in healthcare research. The principles and examples of label-free detection of cancers and myocardial infarction by nanomechanical cantilevers are discussed. The vital importance of nanomechanics in regenerative medicine is highlighted from the perspective of material selection and design for developing biocompatible scaffolds. This review interconnects the advancements made in fundamental materials science research and biomedical technology, and therefore provides scientific insight that is of common interest to the researchers working in different disciplines of healthcare science and technology.

Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Facilitate Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation Within Sagittal Suture During Expansion in Rats

“…Unlike conventional techniques, nanoindentation provides both elastic modulus and hardness estimates for various bone tissue structures at a microscopic level. 42 Hardness, a particularly interesting mechanical property of bone, can be extracted from the experimental load-depth curves that are recorded during the indentation test. 57 Nanoindentation elastic modulus of bone arises mainly from the collagen fiber matrix, and a higher elastic modulus of bone can be an effective indicator of more.…”

“…The nanoindentation test probes the properties at a nanometer length scale, and is a versatile technique for mechanical assaying of a variety of specimens, from soft tissues to bones with impressive spatial resolutions of a few tens to a few hundred nanometer. 42 In general, nanoindentation provides both elastic modulus and hardness estimates for bone tissues. The mechanical properties of the bone, such as load-displacement curves, elastic modulus, hardness, fracture toughness, strain hardening effect, viscoelasticity, or creep behavior, can be obtained by a needle-like indenter pressed into the surface of the sample.…”

Hallmarks of Life in Single Cell Contact Mechanics: Outstanding Challenges and Perspectives

“…Stablishing the connection between mechanics and cell development at the fundamental level (Hallou and Brunet, 2020), can thus be critical in gaining a deeper understanding of morphogenesis (Keller, 2012), as well as tumor development and metastasis (Kumar and Weaver, 2009;Wirtz et al, 2011). In this regard, the clinical application of the cell mechanotype and of micromechanical techniques in cancer detection does no longer seem to be a far-fetched possibility (Nautiyal et al, 2018;Stylianou et al, 2018).…”

Quantification of Adhesion Force of Bacteria on the Surface of Biomaterials: Techniques and Assays

“…When the cantilever is away (≥1 μm) from the surface of the sample, there is no interaction but when it gets closer (<1 μm) to the surface, the electrostatic interaction come into picture. 114 The forces generated by the cell surfaces can be quantified when tip comes in contact with the surface. The adhesion forces can be quantified while retracting the tip, which is in contact with the surface.…”