Differentiation of Wild-Type and CRISPR-Modified Colon Cancer Cells Using Brillouin Microscopy

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical properties of colon cancer cells through Brillouin microscopy, focusing on the differentiation between wild-type (WT) and CRISPR-modified cells. Brillouin microspectroscopy, a non-invasive technique, was employed to measure Brillouin shifts and full width at half maximum (FWHM) values of the cells in vitro. Using a custom-built confocal Brillouin microspectrometer, both WT and CRISPR-modified cells exhibited distinct mechanical responses. Statistical analysis revealed that WT cells had different stiffness and viscosity compared to CRISPR-modified cells, as indicated by their Brillouin shift and FWHM values. The data suggest that Brillouin spectroscopy offers a viable method to differentiate between normal and mutated cells at the subcellular level, providing new insights into cellular mechanical properties relevant to cancer research. These findings hold potential for advancing non-invasive diagnostic techniques and understanding cellular mechanics in oncology.