title: A multiplexed chip-based assay system for investigating the functional development of human skeletal myotubes in vitro.
abstract: This report details the development of a non-invasive in vitro assay system for investigating the functional maturation and performance of human skeletal myotubes. Data is presented demonstrating the survival and differentiation of human myotubes on microscale silicon cantilevers in a defined, serum-free system. These cultures can be stimulated electrically and the resulting contraction quantified using modified atomic force microscopy technology. This system provides a higher degree of sensitivity for investigating contractile waveforms than video-based analysis, and represents the first system capable of measuring the contractile activity of individual human muscle myotubes in a reliable, high-throughput and non-invasive manner. The development of such a technique is critical for the advancement of body-on-a-chip platforms toward application in pre-clinical drug development screens.
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
authors.forename: A S T
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najjar
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McAleer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Vandenburgh
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA. Electronic address: jhickman@mail.ucf.edu.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hickman
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D046208:Microchip Analytical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000254:growth & development*
keywords: Body-on-a-chip; Cantilevers; Functional assay; Human; Skeletal muscle