LAUSR

With the development of the life science field, there is an increasing demand for measuring cell characteristics. In this background, we have developed a small microhand system that uses two end-effectors like chopsticks to grasp and carry micro-objects. We have also succeeded in measuring the stiffness of cells by installing a micro force sensor on the end-effector tip to measure the reaction force during grasping. However, the stiffness measurement of micro-objects requires precise manipulation and places a heavy burden on the experimenter. The problem with the previous system was that it required a skilled technician to perform accurate measurements and there was a limit to the number of cells that were measured in a single short experiment time, which is suitable for characterizing cells. To solve this, we introduced a simultaneous observation system with different magnifications microscopes and optical tweezers. Furthermore, we automated each measurement process to make the stiffness measurement easier. Through evaluation experiments, we confirmed that the system can measure the stiffness of cells with the same speed and high accuracy as the previous system.