Decoupling cell and matrix mechanics in engineered microtissues using magnetically actuated microcantilevers.
A novel bio-magnetomechanical microtissue system is described for magnetic actuation of arrays of 3D microtissues using microcantilevers. This system enables both in situ measurements of fundamental mechanical properties of engineered tissue, such as contractility and stiffness, as well as dynamic stimulation of the microtissues. Using this system, cell and extracellular matrix contributions to the tissue mechanical properties are decoupled for the first time under both static and dynamic loading conditions.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Ruogang
R
Zhao
Thomas
T
Boudou
Wei-Gang
WG
Wang
Christopher S
CS
Chen
Daniel H
DH
Reich
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000379:methods*; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D003094:Collagen