title: In the spotlight: tissue engineering--quantitative analysis of complex 3-D tissues.
abstract: This work highlights the impact that integrated measurement techniques in tissue engineering platforms can have in elucidating basic biologic mechanisms. In this work, a composite matrix and strain device is described that can support natural matrices within a macroporous elastic structure of polyurethane. In this way, a well-defined dynamic strain could be imposed on the 3-D collagen and cells within the collagen for several days without the typical matrix contraction by fibroblasts when cultured in 3-D collagen gels. Taken together, these papers are illustrative of a larger body of work that is beginning to develop and integrate quantitative measurements techniques into complex tissue microenvironments in order to better understand dynamic responses to mechanical and chemical cues.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-2330, USA. tejal.desai@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Tejal A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Desai
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D003094:Collagen