title: Recent microfluidic devices for studying gamete and embryo biomechanics.
abstract: The technical challenges of biomechanic research such as single cell analysis at a high monetary cost, labor, and time for just a small number of measurements is a good match to the strengths of microfluidic devices. New scientific discoveries in the fertilization and embryo development process, of which biomechanics is a major subset of interest, is crucial to fuel the continual improvement of clinical practice in assisted reproduction. The following review will highlight some recent microfluidic devices tailored for gamete and embryo biomechanics where biomimicry arises as a major theme of microfluidic device design and function, and the application of fundamental biomechanic principles are used to improve outcomes of cryopreservation.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Lai
authors: Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
authors: Shuichi
authors: S
authors: Takayama
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Departments of Urology, and Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, 1301 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States. Electronic address: smithgd@umich.edu.
authors: Gary D
authors: GD
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005306:Fertilization; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D044085:Microfluidics; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility
keywords: Biomimicry; Embryo; Gamete; Lab-on-a-chip; Microfluidics