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A Novel Microfluidic Platform for Biomechano-Stimulations on a Chip

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Abstract

Mechanical stress has been proven to be an important factor interfering with many biological functions through mechano-sensitive elements within the cells. Despite the current interest in mechano-transduction, the development of suitable experimental tools is still characterized by the strife to design a compact device that allows high-magnification real-time imaging of the stretched cells, thus enabling to follow the dynamics of cellular response to mechanical stimulations. Here we present a microfluidic multi-layered chip that allows mechanical deformation of adherent cells maintaining a fixed focal plane, while allowing independent control of the soluble microenvironment. The device was optimized with the aid of FEM simulation and fully characterized in terms of mechanical deformation. Different cell lines were exposed to tunable mechanical strain, which results in continuous area deformation up to 20%. Thanks to the coupling of chemical glass etching, 2-dimensional deformation of a thin elastomeric membrane and microfluidic cell culture, the developed device allows a unique combination of cell mechanical stimulation, in line imaging and accurate control of cell culture microenvironment.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by Progetti di Eccellenza CaRiPaRo, Oak Foundation Award (Grant #W1095/OCAY-14-191) and TRANSAC Progetto Strategico Universitá di Padova. This research was supported by the NIHR GOSH BRC. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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Author notes

  1. Lia Prevedello and Federica Michielin equally contributed to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padua, Italy

    Lia Prevedello, Federica Michielin, Manuel Balcon, Enrico Savio, Piero Pavan & Nicola Elvassore

  2. Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy

    Federica Michielin & Nicola Elvassore

  3. Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK

    Nicola Elvassore

  4. Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China

    Nicola Elvassore

Authors
  1. Lia Prevedello
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  2. Federica Michielin
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  3. Manuel Balcon
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  4. Enrico Savio
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  5. Piero Pavan
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  6. Nicola Elvassore
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola Elvassore.

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Associate Editor Peter E. McHugh oversaw the review of this article.

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Prevedello, L., Michielin, F., Balcon, M. et al. A Novel Microfluidic Platform for Biomechano-Stimulations on a Chip. Ann Biomed Eng 47, 231–242 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-018-02121-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-018-02121-z

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