The objective is to develop a novel instrument to explore the effects of fluid induced mechanical stresses on musculoskeletal cell activity. The proposed instrument combines the individual capabilities of micron-resolution particle image velocimetry (u-PIV) and optical tweezers. The proposed instrument will uniquely subject the same individual cell to a sequence of mechanical perturbations that cover a wide range of static and dynamic mechanical stress conditions. The sequence can be conducted quickly and will not require changing equipment, altering the culture media, or examining a completely new cell. The combined optical tweezers/u-PIV technique is unique in that it is a single cell approach requiring no mechanical restraints and that it extends the range of applicable fluid induced stresses to include extensional stresses.
