Set up topographic surfaces to characterize the level of cancer malignancy based on cell biomechanical properties

Cell biomechanics is known to mediate many biological processes including cell division, adhesion, motility, and differentiation. Our previous studies found that the level of cancer cell malignancy is correlated with cell deformability. Cells that phenotypically show a higher level of malignancy are more elastic/deformable and as a consequence, they show an enhanced capacity for particle uptake in a biomechanical medicated process. Nevertheless, biomechanical measurements are limited for clinical applications due to their technical complexity and incompatibility for high throughput results. Here, we present the development of a new diagnostic platform, based on the biomechanical properties of cancerous tissues, and interactions of cells with surfaces. Their adhesion measures the mechanical properties of cancer cells on modified surfaces with different micro and nano topographic features. To accomplish this, a new topographic surface fabrication technique based on a colloidal particle deposition method was developed in parallel to other standard nanofabrication techniques.