Actuated 3D microgels for single cell mechanobiology

Abstract

A mechanically active microgel platform for single cell mechanobiology is presented. Optically triggered nanoactuators generate isotropic compression in 3D microgels, leading to reversible and mechanosensitive calcium signaling in encapsulated MSCs.

Structure formation of PNIPAM microgels in foams and foam films

“…124,125 A more detailed understanding of the elastic properties of MGs would be beneficial, especially regarding their possible application as nano-actuators. [126][127][128][129][130]…”

Advances in Microfluidics: Technical Innovations and Applications in Diagnostics and Therapeutics

“…Phenotyping adherent cells in droplets is also possible by first anchoring the cells to gelatin particles providing mechanical stimulations similar to those from ECM in vivo . Further mechanobiology studies can be carried out by encapsulating cells in photoresponsive hydrogel . The mechanically active microgels support cell culture in vitro up to a week and can generate 15% compressive strain and forces reaching 400 nN.…”

“…57 Further mechanobiology studies can be carried out by encapsulating cells in photoresponsive hydrogel. 58 The mechanically active microgels support cell culture in vitro up to a week and can generate 15% compressive strain and forces reaching 400 nN. The encapsulating network isotropically compresses the cell upon activation by light allowing for one to study the impact of temporal mechanostimulation patterns on the cellular response.…”

Magnetically Actuated Hydrogel Stamping-Assisted Cellular Mechanical Analyzer for Stored Blood Quality Detection

“…2,19 Some studies achieve cell deformation through optically triggered hydrogel-nanoactuator networks or external mechanical pressure-controlled hydrogel actuators and have achieved promising experimental results, but it remains challenging to automate manipulation and smart analysis from sample to result. 21,24,25 Alternatively, the development of magnetic platforms, such as magnetic digital microfluidics, has provided good ideas for rapid and automated manipulation of cell deformation. 26−29 Magnetic platforms can be widely used for biosensing and medical diagnostics due to their advantages, such as easy assembly, power-free operation, and being nondestructive, 30 which allows operation in resource-poor environments for point-of-care detection.…”

“…Several useful techniques for testing cellular mechanical properties have been proposed, including optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy, micropipette aspiration, , etc. − These techniques can accurately characterize cellular mechanical properties, but they struggle to strike a balance between precision and throughput. , Microfluidics, in which cell deformation is accomplished by fluid flow or geometric contraction, can enable high-throughput characterization of cell mechanics. ,− Microfluidic devices can be combined with automated image analysis to reduce the need for expert manipulation and simplify the operational steps. − In practice, however, cells are susceptible to blockage due to the heterogeneity of cell sample populations and differences in size and morphology, or they are affected by fluids that hinder high-quality imaging. , Some studies achieve cell deformation through optically triggered hydrogel-nanoactuator networks or external mechanical pressure-controlled hydrogel actuators and have achieved promising experimental results, but it remains challenging to automate manipulation and smart analysis from sample to result. ,, Alternatively, the development of magnetic platforms, such as magnetic digital microfluidics, has provided good ideas for rapid and automated manipulation of cell deformation. − Magnetic platforms can be widely used for biosensing and medical diagnostics due to their advantages, such as easy assembly, power-free operation, and being nondestructive, which allows operation in resource-poor environments for point-of-care detection …”