This technology is a genetically encoded, membrane-bound fluorescent tension sensor that converts changes in cell membrane tension into changes in light intensity. It enables real-time visualization and measurement of mechanical forces in living cells, tissues, and model systems for mechanobiology research, disease modeling, and therapeutic screening.
The platform can be expressed in biological systems and configured across fluorescence colors and tension ranges for different assay contexts. By providing a direct fluorescent readout of membrane mechanics, it supports live-cell imaging and high-content screening workflows where existing tools can be indirect, technically complex, or difficult to deploy in dynamic biological systems.
Potential Applications / Applicability: Mechanobiology research; live-cell and tissue imaging; high-content drug screening for compounds that alter mechanotransduction pathways; disease modeling using cultured cells, organoids, and animal models; transgenic models that report tissue-level mechanical forces; lab-on-a-chip and engineered tissue systems.
Key Benefits:
Opportunity: Rowan University is seeking licensing and collaboration partners to develop this biosensor platform for research tools, live-cell imaging, disease modeling, and drug discovery screening. Potential partners include life science reagent suppliers, imaging and instrumentation companies, transgenic model providers, and drug discovery platform developers.
Development Status: Initial data, prototype, and proof-of-principle studies have been completed in biological model systems, including mammalian cell lines. Development is focused on tuning sensitivity ranges and color variants for different use cases. Patent application pending.