Computational analysis of fluid flow within a device for applying biaxial strain to cultured cells.

ABSTRACT: In vitro systems for applying mechanical strain to cultured cells are commonly used to investigate cellular mechanotransduction pathways in a variety of cell types. These systems often apply mechanical forces to a flexible membrane on which cells are cultured. A consequence of the motion of the membrane in these systems is the generation of flow and the unintended application of shear stress to the cells. We recently described a flexible system for applying mechanical strain to cultured cells, which uses a linear motor to drive a piston array to create biaxial strain within multiwell culture plates. To better understand the fluidic stresses generated by this system and other systems of this type, we created a computational fluid dynamics model to simulate the flow during the mechanical loa

SUBMITTER: Lee J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4370046 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature