PAVONE
The high-throughput nanoindentation platform combining optical imaging, micro-mechanical indentation and incubation
Introducing the Pavone
The Pavone enables researchers to analyze structural and functional properties of cells and other biomaterials in near-physiological conditions.
Compatible with up to 2 x 96-well plates, the Pavone allows for high-throughput high-content screening of functional properties, including cell stiffness, viscoelasticity, adhesion, contraction, mechanosensing, and many more.
This new platform combines micro-mechanical characterization with optical imaging and incubation, allowing fast and easy data collection.
Due to pre-calibrated optical fiber sensors and pre-programmed experiments this instrument is a true time saver which can generate a large amount of powerful results.
Key Features
HIGH THROUGHPUT INDENTING
MODULAR MICROSCOPY CAPABILITIES
TOUCH-AND-GO INTERFACE
COMPACT BENCHTOP INSTRUMENT (68 X 60 CM)
SEMI-AUTOMATED
EASY TO USE
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How it Works
Applications
Pathology
Single-cell pathology: studying the relationship between mechanics and gene expression in cancer cells. Cancer is a widely studied disease.
However, the interplay of mechanics and gene expression, and how they affect disease progression, is a relatively new field in which many questions remain to be answered.
The Pavone can superimpose single-cell force and fluorescence data, hence it can couple force-gene expression relations.
Mechanopharmacology
Single-cell mechanopharmacology: studying the function of cell mechanics in disease and in relation to pharmaceutical target compounds.
In pharmacology, mechano-biological analysis is limited to specific application areas, such as cardiac diseases even though the relevance of mechanical properties in other areas such as inflammation and fibrosis have been proven to be relevant.
The Pavone enables the screening of mechanical properties of large sample sets, enabling to unlock potential cues for pharmacological intervention that currently remain undiscovered.
Physiology
Single-cell physiology: studying the functional properties of living cells.
The field of single-cell physiology has progressed much in the last decades with the increasing availability of genomic screening.
To fully comprehend functional aspects of single- cells such as stem cell differentiation or myocyte function, force or mechanical properties can be used as read-out parameters.
Also, they can be coupled to fluorescence using the Pavone and/or post-analysis sequencing with third-party devices.
Technology
This high-throughput nanoindentation platform is engineered with mechanobiology in mind. Direct force measurement abilities are fully integrated with modular imaging and incubation, and it is compatible with up to 2 x 96 well plates. The force measurements are performed using Optics11 Life’s unique fiber-optical based MEMS sensors for unparalleled accuracy, precision and low noise floor.
Want to know more?
Read the Pavone Application note.
Check out our resources page and learn all there is to know about the Pavone.
Methods
Imaging
Depending on the study of interest, standard bright-field and phase-contrast imaging capabilities can be expanded with fluorescence, confocal or other more specialized imaging modes if required. The picture here shows a overlay of fluorescence and phase contrast imaging of EGFP stained yeast cells by the Pavone.
Mechanical Characterization
The operation of the Pavone is tailored to integrate with biology workflows, providing fully automated find-contact, indentation and data analysis procedures. Furthermore, a semi-automated event-based sequence can be designed in a drag-and-drop fashion, or the instrument can be used in ‘continuous’ mode, where a touchscreen interface enables researchers to select cells on which to perform analysis.
Incubation
By default, the Pavone includes temperature control, using multiple heating elements and an advanced control mechanism to ensure uniform and stable heating to physiological temperatures. Additionally, a CO2 and humidity control module can be added to provide incubator-like conditions.