A device for mechanically characterizing an element of interest, advantageously a microscopic element of interest, possibly biological in nature, or even a cell, wherein the mechanical characterization device comprises: - support means, for receiving a container suitable for containing a liquid medium, - holding means, for holding said element of interest in said liquid medium, the device for mechanically characterizing is characterized in that it comprises: - an indenting member having a longitudinal axis and intended to remain in suspension in said liquid medium with said longitudinal axis oriented horizontally, wherein said indenting member includes at least one permanent magnet and one proximal end intended to indent said element of interest, - magnetic means, for generating a magnetic field in which said indenting member is intended to move and in which said indenting member is unstable in an unstable horizontal direction (x) oriented coaxially to said longitudinal axis and which participates in the suspension of said indenting member with said unstable horizontal direction (x), - control means, intended to pilot said magnetic means so as to generate a variation of said magnetic field that is adapted to operate said indenting member in translation along said unstable horizontal direction (x), and - means for determining the mechanical characteristics of said element of interest, taking into account the characteristics of said magnetic field and the value of translational displacement of said indenting member along said unstable horizontal direction (x) when said proximal end of said indenting member generates a compression force to said element of interest. wherein the mechanical characterization device comprises: - support means, for receiving a container suitable for containing a liquid medium, - holding means, for holding said element of interest in said liquid medium, - support means, for receiving a container suitable for containing a liquid medium, - holding means, for holding said element of interest in said liquid medium, the device for mechanically characterizing is characterized in that it comprises: - an indenting member having a longitudinal axis and intended to remain in suspension in said liquid medium with said longitudinal axis oriented horizontally, wherein said indenting member includes at least one permanent magnet and one proximal end intended to indent said element of interest, - magnetic means, for generating a magnetic field in which said indenting member is intended to move and in which said indenting member is unstable in an unstable horizontal direction (x) oriented coaxially to said longitudinal axis and which participates in the suspension of said indenting member with said unstable horizontal direction (x), - control means, intended to pilot said magnetic means so as to generate a variation of said magnetic field that is adapted to operate said indenting member in translation along said unstable horizontal direction (x), and - means for determining the mechanical characteristics of said element of interest, taking into account the characteristics of said magnetic field and the value of translational displacement of said indenting member along said unstable horizontal direction (x) when said proximal end of said indenting member generates a compression force to said element of interest. - an indenting member having a longitudinal axis and intended to remain in suspension in said liquid medium with said longitudinal axis oriented horizontally, wherein said indenting member includes at least one permanent magnet and one proximal end intended to indent said element of interest, - magnetic means, for generating a magnetic field in which said indenting member is intended to move and in which said indenting member is unstable in an unstable horizontal direction (x) oriented coaxially to said longitudinal axis and which participates in the suspension of said indenting member with said unstable horizontal direction (x), - control means, intended to pilot said magnetic means so as to generate a variation of said magnetic field that is adapted to operate said indenting member in translation along said unstable horizontal direction (x), and - means for determining the mechanical characteristics of said element of interest, taking into account the characteristics of said magnetic field and the value of translational displacement of said indenting member along said unstable horizontal direction (x) when said proximal end of said indenting member generates a compression force to said element of interest.