title: Precision assembly of complex cellular microenvironments using holographic optical tweezers.
abstract: The accurate study of cellular microenvironments is limited by the lack of technologies that can manipulate cells in 3D at a sufficiently small length scale. The ability to build and manipulate multicellular microscopic structures will facilitate a more detailed understanding of cellular function in fields such as developmental and stem cell biology. We present a holographic optical tweezers based technology to accurately generate bespoke cellular micro-architectures. Using embryonic stem cells, 3D structures of varying geometries were created and stabilized using hydrogels and cell-cell adhesion methods. Control of chemical microenvironments was achieved by the temporal release of specific factors from polymer microparticles positioned within these constructs. Complex co-culture micro-environmental analogues were also generated to reproduce structures found within adult stem cell niches. The application of holographic optical tweezers-based micromanipulation will enable novel insights into biological microenvironments by allowing researchers to form complex architectures with sub-micron precision of cells, matrices and molecules.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Glen R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Britchford
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Upton
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Graham M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Devaud
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ehrbar
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Miles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padgett
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Lee D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Buttery
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shakesheff
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006696:Holography; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers