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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.01092 |
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| _version_ | 1866911352486887424 |
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| author | Hou, Yong Wang, Lingzhi Hao, Zheng Sun, Fuqiang Wu, Yutong Zhang, Luyao Ma, Linjie Xie, Wenyan Hu, Xinhao Wei, Qiang Yu, Cheng-han Lin, Yuan Chu, Zhiqin |
| author_facet | Hou, Yong Wang, Lingzhi Hao, Zheng Sun, Fuqiang Wu, Yutong Zhang, Luyao Ma, Linjie Xie, Wenyan Hu, Xinhao Wei, Qiang Yu, Cheng-han Lin, Yuan Chu, Zhiqin |
| contents | Traditional cellular force-sensing techniques, such as traction force microscopy (TFM), are predominantly limited to measuring linear tractions, overlooking and technically unable to capture the nanoscale torsional forces that are critical in cell-matrix interactions. Here, we introduce a nanodiamond-enabled torsion microscopy (DTM) that integrates nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers as orientation markers with micropillar arrays to decouple and quantify nanoscale rotational and translational motions induced by cells. This approach achieves high precision (~1.47 degree rotational accuracy and ~3.13*10-15 Nm torque sensitivity), enabling reconstruction of cellular torsional force fields and twisting energy distributions previously underestimated. Our findings reveal the widespread presence of torsional forces in cell-matrix interactions, introducing "cellular mechanical modes" where different adhesion patterns dictate the balance between traction- and torque- mediated mechanical energy transferred to the substrate. Notably, in immune cells like macrophages that generally exert low linear tractions, torque overwhelmingly dominates traction, highlighting a unique mechanical output for specific cellular functions. By uncovering these differential modes, DTM provides a versatile tool to advance biomechanical investigations, with potential applications in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_01092 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Nanodiamond-Enabled Torsion Microscopy Uncovers Multidimensional Cell-Matrix Mechanical Interactions Hou, Yong Wang, Lingzhi Hao, Zheng Sun, Fuqiang Wu, Yutong Zhang, Luyao Ma, Linjie Xie, Wenyan Hu, Xinhao Wei, Qiang Yu, Cheng-han Lin, Yuan Chu, Zhiqin Biological Physics Traditional cellular force-sensing techniques, such as traction force microscopy (TFM), are predominantly limited to measuring linear tractions, overlooking and technically unable to capture the nanoscale torsional forces that are critical in cell-matrix interactions. Here, we introduce a nanodiamond-enabled torsion microscopy (DTM) that integrates nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers as orientation markers with micropillar arrays to decouple and quantify nanoscale rotational and translational motions induced by cells. This approach achieves high precision (~1.47 degree rotational accuracy and ~3.13*10-15 Nm torque sensitivity), enabling reconstruction of cellular torsional force fields and twisting energy distributions previously underestimated. Our findings reveal the widespread presence of torsional forces in cell-matrix interactions, introducing "cellular mechanical modes" where different adhesion patterns dictate the balance between traction- and torque- mediated mechanical energy transferred to the substrate. Notably, in immune cells like macrophages that generally exert low linear tractions, torque overwhelmingly dominates traction, highlighting a unique mechanical output for specific cellular functions. By uncovering these differential modes, DTM provides a versatile tool to advance biomechanical investigations, with potential applications in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. |
| title | Nanodiamond-Enabled Torsion Microscopy Uncovers Multidimensional Cell-Matrix Mechanical Interactions |
| topic | Biological Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.01092 |