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Purpose The differentiation properties of stem cells are not yet fully understood due to their close association with multiple environmental and extrinsic factors. This study investigates the differentiation properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and correlates them with their intrinsic mechanical properties. Methods A total of 3 different types of MSCs, namely bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCSCs), and adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) were evaluated. These 3 MSCs were individually differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts for 3 weeks. The mechanical properties of the MSCs and differentiated cells were determined by atomic force microscopy. Results ADSCs showed the greatest ability to differentiate into adipocytes, followed by BMSCs and UCSCs. While UCSCs differentiated readily into osteoblasts, BMSCs and ADSCs were less likely to undergo this differentiation. UCSCs were the “hardest” cells, while ADSCs were the “softest.” The cells differentiated from “hard” MSCs were stiffer than the cells differentiated from “soft” MSCs, irrespective of lineage specification. Conclusions The differentiation ability of MSCs and the mechanical properties of the differentiated cells were closely linked. However, there were no significant correlations regarding changes in the mechanical properties between the nuclear region and the cytoplasm during differentiation.

Microfluidics is considered an important technology that is suitable for numerous biomedical applications, including cancer diagnosis, metastasis, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Although microfluidics is still considered to be a new approach in urological research, several pioneering studies have been reported in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed urological research works using microfluidic devices. Microfluidic devices were used for the detection of prostate and bladder cancer and the characterization of cancer microenvironments. The potential applications of microfluidics in urinary analysis and sperm sorting were demonstrated. The use of microfluidic devices in urology research can provide high-throughput, high-precision, and low-cost analyzing platforms.