An explicit model to extract viscoelastic properties of cells from AFM force-indentation curves

Critical Analysis of Research Paper Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name January 2, 2024 One of the most pivotal areas of research in biophysics and biology is cellular mechanics. Cellular mechanics has various possible applications, not only in academia but also in the industrial field. Accordingly, understanding these properties is crucial for gaining insights into various cellular functions and behaviors, including those of T cells, which are central to the body's immune response. This paper analyzes Abuhattum et al.'s (2022) article entitled "An explicit model to extract viscoelastic properties of cells from AFM force-indentation curves." Specifically, this critical analysis aims to dissect the strengths and weaknesses of the paper, focusing primarily on the innovative methodologies introduced and their applicability to the broader spectrum of cellular research. Comprehensive Summary of the Paper One of the main strengths of the authors' paper is their focus on addressing the current gaps in the study of the mechanical properties of these cells. For instance, Abuhattum et al. revolve around developing a novel fitting model integrated with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to analyze force-indentation curves, thereby determining the viscoelastic properties of cells more comprehensively. In line with this, it must be noted that the cornerstone of their research is the Kelvin-Voigt-Maxwell (KVM) model, which combines elastic and viscous elements to capture a cell's response under mechanical stress. Some examples of studies that used this more traditional model include that of Van Liedekerke et al. (2020) and Ohashi et al. (2002), which focus too on the biomechanical aspects of cell responses and movements. Nonetheless, according to the authors of this article, the KVM Model provides a different approach from the most traditional Hertzian models, which primarily focus on elastic properties, neglecting the viscous component crucial for understanding the dynamic behavior of cells. The article initially started by testing the model on simulated force-indentation curves of varying materials, ensuring the model’s robustness and reliability. This step was critical in establishing a baseline for further experimental application. Following this, the model was applied to two distinct types of hydrogels, demonstrating its effectiveness in distinguishing different mechanical characteristics arising from various crosslinking mechanisms. Moving forward, it is notable that the most intriguing part of the study involved applying the model to HeLa cells during different phases of the cell cycle. The researchers discovered notable differences in the viscoelastic properties between cells in interphase and mitotic states. This finding highlights the model's sensitivity to detect subtle variations in cellular mechanics and opens new avenues for exploring how mechanical properties evolve during cell...