Flexible Substrates
A flexible substrate is another method that allows us to measure how much force a cell applies to its environment. Again, we are able to calibrate how much force is required to deform or bend these flexible substrates. By plating cells on top of these substrates and measuring how much bending occurs, we are able to calculate how much force the cells applies to the surrounding environment. These measurements are important to better understand how cells mechanically interact with their environments.