Picosecond ultrasounds as elasticity probes in neuron-like cells models

Abstract

We report on elasticity measurements in neuronlike cells using picosecond acoustics pump and probe spectroscopy. The stimulated Brillouin oscillations were mapped in PC12 cells to reveal their internal elastic structure. Thanks to a Pearson correlation coefficient mapping, different areas could be distinguished. The nucleus material shows a bulk modulus equal to 12.9 GPa in the case of a dry cell. Attenuation of the Brillouin signature gives access to dynamical longitudinal viscosity equal to 10.6 mPa ⋅ s, one order of magnitude higher than that of water. The modulus considerably drops to 2.6 GPa in the most physiologically relevant case of a hydrated cell.