Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Characterize Local Material Environments in Developing Embryos

We use the atomic force microscope (AFM) to research the early cardiac development of stage 12 chicken embryos. During the early stages of the process, the bent cardiac tube folds over itself to form the necessary orientation for further development. While the consequences of this looping process are well understood, the mechanisms driving the looping process require further research. We investigate the mechanical properties, such as stiffness, of highly localized regions in the embryos using atomic force microscopy. Specifically, the AFM is able to measure and record the topography of nanoscale materials as well as perform indentation experiments on regions of a sample. The primary focus of this experiment is to investigate forces exerted by tissues, including two membranes located nearby to the cardiac tube. This analysis serves as a continuation of previous experiments involving a similar stage of the cardiac looping process. Preliminary results using the AFM have produced data that compare favorably to previous experiments performed using a different nanoindentation apparatus. Future tests for this project will include nanoindentation across an array of regions in the chicken embryo as well as analyzing various stages of the embryonic growth. By investigating the properties throughout the sample, the mechanical forces exerted by multiple structures in the embryo and the overall cardiac development process can be better understood.