University Archives

Mechanical forces play a critical role in cellular processes such as wound healing, stem cell differentiation, and cell migration. However, existing tools struggle to detect extremely small forces that are measured in the piconewton range. To address this challenge, we developed a simpler, single-dye sensor that reports mechanical forces through changes in fluorescence lifetime. We synthesized an organic, rhodamine-based dye, assembled it into molecular probes with PEG linkers and cell-adhesive peptides, and functionalized it on glass surfaces. Cell-free assays on these surfaces with varied probe density helped modulate molecular forces. Higher probe density produced longer fluorescence lifetimes, confirming that the dye responds to mechanical force. This single-dye sensor provides a reliable tool for visualizing mechanical forces and biological imaging, enabling studies of mechanobiology in both cells and biomaterials.