Abstract: In a method for diagnosing and/or prognosis of cancers, diagnosing origin of tumor cells, optimizing cancer therapy, and screening active substances for oncology, the mechanical properties of tumor cells and reference cells are analyzed under mechanical load that causes linear or non-linear deformation of the loaded cell. The engineering strain of the cells caused by directed mechanical stress being introduced is used to determine metastasis risk and the presence of uncontrollably proliferating and/or invasive cells, or the origin of the tumor. The metastasis risk is determined based on the proportion of cells in the sample exhibiting engineering strain in a direction opposite to the stressing direction. The risk of the presence of uncontrollably proliferating cells for non-linear deformation of the cell is determined in the sample based on the mean value of the engineering strain in the direction of cell stressing.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing and/or prognosis of cancers, diagnosing origin of tumor cells, optimizing cancer therapy, and screening active substances for oncology, the mechanical properties of tumor cells and reference cells are analyzed under mechanical load that causes linear or non-linear deformation of the loaded cell. The engineering strain of the cells caused by directed mechanical stress being introduced is used to determine metastasis risk and the presence of uncontrollably proliferating and/or invasive cells, or the origin of the tumor. The metastasis risk is determined based on the proportion of cells in the sample exhibiting engineering strain in a direction opposite to the stressing direction. The risk of the presence of uncontrollably proliferating cells for non-linear deformation of the cell is determined in the sample based on the mean value of the engineering strain in the direction of cell stressing.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancers, for diagnosis of the site of origin of tumour cells, for optimizing the treatment of cancer patients and for screening active substances for oncology. In the method, the mechanical properties of tumour cells and reference cells are analyzed under a mechanical load that leads to linear or nonlinear deformation of the respective loaded cell. The expansion of the cells, which results from the input of a directed mechanical stress, is used to determine the risk of tumour metastases and, if appropriate, the presence of uncontrollably proliferating and/or invasive cells, or the tissue of origin of the tumour. The risk of tumour metastases is determined on the basis of the proportion of cells in the sample that have an extension counter to the direction of stressing.

Abstract: A carrier substrate for primary tissue culture has a nanotube array. A tissue culture vessel has an outer vessel and a nanotube carrier substrate with a nanotube array, located within the outer vessel, wherein the surface roughness of the nanotube array is 1 nm to 100 nm. The nanotube array is used for in vitro culturing of primary tissue in connection with a tissue culture vessel for in vitro culturing of primary tissue and a method for in vitro culturing primary tissue, wherein a nanotube array is arranged essentially horizontal inside an outer cell culture vessel, so that openings of the nanotubes point at least in upward direction, the nanotube array is contacted with cell culture medium and an isolated primary tissue sample is placed on top-side on said nanotube array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field, comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and optical means for guiding the electromagnetic radiation into the measurement volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field, comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and optical means for guiding the electromagnetic radiation into the measurement volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include Optical Cell Guidance (OCG) methods and apparatus to control cell growth. This system guides the leading edge of motile cells with an optical gradient, which biases the cell's motion into the light by pulling on proteins, which act like soft dielectrics in the electromagnetic field. OCG differs from those devices described above in that it controls the direction of cell motility. This is an entirely new field, and the first device to directly manipulate cell motility. OCG differs from current approaches in that it does not trap or hold particles. Instead of trapping and pulling the cell, the goal of OCG is to influence, direct, and control the growth of a growth cone.