A novel technique for in situ uniaxial tests of self-assembled soft biomaterials.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a novel method to form 3D biomimetic tissues from a droplet of a cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) mixture on a sensor stage and to quantify tissue force and stiffness as a function of time under optical microscopes. This method exploits advances in micro-nano fabrication and capillarity for self-assembly and self-alignment of tissues on the stage. It allows simultaneous investigation of the microstructure of the tissue in situ while its mechanical response is quantified, thus linking tissue biophysics with physiology and revealing structural-functional properties of 3D tissues. We demonstrate the functionality of the stage by studying the mechanical behavior of different cell-collagen mixtures under mechanical, chemical and electrical stimulation. This includes force evolution

SUBMITTER: Elhebeary M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6437030 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature