Finite element analysis of single cell surgery using rigid nanoneedle

In this paper, we proposed a novel method for single cell surgery using rigid nanoneedle. We have developed a finite element model of rigid nanoneedle. This nanoneedle is able to penetrate a cell wall and measure a cell wall's stiffness. W303 yeast cell has been selected as a cell model and a Tungsten metal has been used to model the nanoneedle. ABAQUS 6.10 CAE/CFD by Dassault Systemes, a powerful finite element (FE) tool has been used to perform the numerical analysis. Nonlinear Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic material has been used to develop the cell model. The parameters of yeast cell have been obtained from the previous experimental on the mechanical properties of yeast cell such as: cell diameter (3–6 µm), area, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and membrane failure analysis. After analyzing the parameters numerically, we have obtained single yeast cell penetration force which is 397 nN. This penetration force indicates the yeast cell wall's stiffness. This method might be used for measuring any kind of cell wall stiffness.