FluidFM Tab - Nanosurf

FluidFM

FluidFM

The established microfluidic tool for nanomanipulation and single-cell biology

FluidFM probe microscopy (FPM) combines the force sensitivity and positional accuracy of an AFM with FluidFM technology by Cytosurge to allow a whole range of exciting applications in single-cell biology and nanoscience.

As Cytosurge's initial cooperation partner for this innovative technology, Nanosurf has the longest experience providing AFM systems with the FluidFM^® add-on, — launching FluidFM^® technology for its AFMs as early as 2013.

FluidFM add-ons are currently available for the DriveAFM, FlexAFM and CoreAFM platforms, and a unique integrated FPM solution exists for the FlexAFM.

Highly accurate pressure, force, and position control with optical sample access

Fully integrated system with user-friendly FluidFM^® ARYA operator software
FluidFM® microfluidics control system
Compatible with major inverted microscope brands

Different FluidFM^® probes: hollow cantilevers designed for specific applications

FluidFM® micropipettes: tipless cantilevers with opening at the cantilever end
FluidFM® nanopipettes: cantilevers with opening at the tip apex
FluidFM® rapid prototyping probes: cantilevers with closed pyramidal tips, ready for FIB milling

Pioneering research within reach

A tool to conduct original research at the frontiers of science

An integrated solution with optical, force, and fluidic control

Optical cell selection by fluorescence properties (left image). The cantilever was gently placed on the cell under force control and trypsin administration was monitored from a co-deposited fluorescence dye (blue). After release, the cell was picked up with the same cantilever and isolated from the rest by placing it in a separate well, sorted by fluorescence (right image; adapted from Lab Chip (2014) 14, 402‑414 with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry). Data courtesy: O. Guilaume-Gentil, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.

Nuclear injection

DAPI is a fluorescent marker that binds into the minor groove of DNA. Since a cell's DNA is present in the nucleus, it is a commonly used nuclear stain agent. Before conventional labelling, cells are fixed and the membrane permeabilized to allow the dye to enter the cells. Due to the high required concentration, it is conventionally not used for living cells. In the experiment below, FluidFM is used to directly inject the nucleus of living cells with DAPI. DAPI's excitation maximum is at 358 nm and its emission is in the blue part of the light spectrum (461 nm). Sample courtesy: Dr. Nico Strohmeyer, Biophysics group, Prof. D.J. Müller, ETH Zurich

Before injection

During injection

After nuclear injection of DAPI

Single-cell force-spectroscopy

Single-cell force-spectroscopy studies are genarally hampered by the relatively slow pace at which a statistically relevant amount of data can be obtained. FluidFM® can dramatically increase the amount of data that can be recorded in a single day: By applying underpressure to the system, FluidFM® cantilevers can attach to a selected cell within seconds. Likewise, the probe can be immediately re-used after each adhesion experiment by releasing the detached cell from the probe through the application of overpressure. The maximum cell adhesion forces that can be measured using FluidFM are in the range of 500 pN to 1600 nN. The latter value represents a one-order of magnitude increase compared to conventional AFM approaches.

Before cell detachment

After cell detachment

Force curve recorded during cell detachment

Innovative and intuitive handling

With its touchscreen interface and predefined experimental workflows, e.g for spotting and single-cell injection and extraction, or for bacterial and cell adhesion force measurements, the intuitive FluidFM operator software will guide you through each of your experiments step-by-step.