Investigating Mechanotransduction and Mechanosensitivity in Mammalian Cells

..................................................x Acknowledgments......................................xi Statement of Originality..............................xiii List of Publications and Presentations.............xiv Chapter One: Introduction...........................................................................1 1.1 Motivation..............................................................................................1 Chapter Two: Hypotheses and Objectives.........................................................6 2.1 Main Hypotheses and Objectives...................................................................6 2.2 Thesis Outline..........................................................................................7 Chapter Three: Experimental and Theoretical Approaches....................................9 3.1 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)..................................................................9 3.1.1 General Instrumentation of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)...................10 3.1.2 Calibration of the Cantilever.............................................................13 3.1.3 Modes of Operation of the AFM.........................................................14 3.2 Force Curves...........................................................................................17 3.3 Methods to Detect and Measure Traction Force.................................................21 3.4 Traction Force Microsocpy (TFM)...............................................................25