Protocol to measure the membrane tension and bending modulus of cells using optical tweezers and scanning electron microscopy.

ABSTRACT: The elastic properties of cell membranes, particularly the membrane tension and bending modulus, are known to be key regulators of cellular functions. Here, we present a correlative and integrated tool based on optical tweezers and scanning electron microscopy to accurately determine these properties in a variety of cell types. Although there are intrinsic difficulties associated with correlative experiments, we believe that the methods presented can be considered a suitable protocol for determining the elastic properties of cell membranes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Soares et al. (2020).

SUBMITTER: Pompeu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7821041 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature