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In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
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Bioinspired Helical Micromotors as Dynamic Cell Microcarriers.

Yunru Yu1,2,3, Jiahui Guo3, Yuetong Wang3

  • 1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 18, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed helical micromotors inspired by bacteria for use as dynamic cell microcarriers. These biocompatible, magnetically responsive micromotors can be assembled into complex structures for tissue repair and organ-on-a-chip applications.

Keywords:
fibermicrocarriermicrofluidicsmicromotortissue engineering

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Microfluidics

Background:

  • Micromotors offer controllable motion, long lifetimes, and biocompatibility, showing great potential in biomedical applications.
  • Existing research focuses on enhancing micromotor characteristics for advanced biomedical uses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop helical micromotors as dynamic cell microcarriers using microfluidic spinning technology.
  • To explore the potential of these micromotors in cell culture, tissue engineering, and organ-on-a-chip systems.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of helical micromotors via microfluidic generation and manual dicing.
  • Encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic field responsiveness.
  • Cell seeding and cultivation on micromotors for dynamic culture applications.

Main Results:

  • Tailorable micromotor morphologies with high biocompatibility were achieved.
  • Magnetic nanoparticle encapsulation enabled controlled motion via external magnetic fields.
  • Assembled micromotor structures demonstrated potential for tissue repair and vascular modeling.

Conclusions:

  • Helical micromotors serve as effective dynamic cell microcarriers and building blocks for complex 3D structures.
  • These micromotors show promise for advancing tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and organ-on-a-chip technologies.
  • The developed fabrication and functionalization methods broaden the scope of micromotor applications in biomedicine.