Year of publication:
2009
Journal name:
PNAS
Microfabricated tissue gauges to measure and manipulate forces from 3D microtissues
http://www.pnas.org –
Physical forces generated by cells drive morphologic changes
during development and can feedback to regulate cellular phenotypes.
Because these phenomena typically occur within a 3-dimensional
(3D) matrix in vivo, we used microelectromechanical systems
(MEMS) technology to generate arrays of microtissues consisting
of cells encapsulated within 3D micropatterned matrices. Microcantilevers
were used to simultaneously constrain the remodeling
of a collagen gel and to report forces generated during this process.
By concurrently measuring forces and observing matrix remodeling Read more »
Animal cell hydraulics
http://jcs.biologists.org –
Water is the dominant ingredient of cells and its dynamics are crucial to life. We and others have suggested a physical picture of the cell as a soft, fluid-infiltrated sponge, surrounded by a water-permeable barrier. To understand water movements in an animal cell, we imposed an external, inhomogeneous osmotic stress on cultured cancer cells. This forced water through the membrane on one side, and out on the other. Inside the cell, it created a gradient in hydration, that we visualized by tracking cellular responses using natural organelles and artificially introduced quantum dots. Read more »
Year of publication:
2009
Journal name:
Journal of Cell Science.