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Cell stretching devices as research tools: engineering and biological considerations
Harshad Kamble1, Matthew J Barton2, Myeongjun Jun3
1Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, QLD 4111, Australia. nam-trung.nguyen@griffith.edu.au.
Lab on a Chip
|July 22, 2016
Summary
Cells sense and respond to mechanical stimuli through mechanotransduction. This review explores cell stretching devices to better understand cellular responses in vitro, aiding clinical diagnosis and pathology.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Cells experience continuous mechanical strain from physiological activities.
- Cellular mechanotransduction, the process of sensing and responding to mechanical stimuli, is crucial for health and disease.
- In vivo studies are complex, necessitating in vitro models that mimic the cellular microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review engineering and biological considerations for developing cell stretching devices.
- To highlight the need for advanced in vitro technologies for studying mechanotransduction.
- To provide insights into current and future developments in cell stretching technology.
Main Methods:
- Review of different cell stretching device concepts.
- Analysis of major engineering design considerations for cell stretching.
- Discussion of biological aspects relevant to cell stretching experiments.
Main Results:
- Identified various cell stretching device types and their underlying principles.
- Outlined key engineering challenges and solutions in device design.
- Summarized critical biological factors influencing cell responses to stretching.
Conclusions:
- Cell stretching devices are essential tools for studying mechanotransduction in vitro.
- Further development is needed to improve the fidelity of in vitro models.
- This review offers a foundation for designing and utilizing cell stretching devices for research and clinical applications.
