title: Label-free segmentation of Co-cultured cells on a nanotopographical gradient.
abstract: The function and fate of cells is influenced by many different factors, one of which is surface topography of the support culture substrate. Systematic studies of nanotopography and cell response have typically been limited to single cell types and a small set of topographical variations. Here, we show a radical expansion of experimental throughput using automated detection, measurement, and classification of co-cultured cells on a nanopillar array where feature height changes continuously from planar to 250 nm over 9 mm. Individual cells are identified and characterized by more than 200 descriptors, which are used to construct a set of rules for label-free segmentation into individual cell types. Using this approach we can achieve label-free segmentation with 84% confidence across large image data sets and suggest optimized surface parameters for nanostructuring of implant devices such as vascular stents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8LT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Rasmus H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stormonth-Darling
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dalby
authors.forename: Mathis O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Riehle
authors.forename: Nikolaj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gadegaard
mesh_terms: D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*