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Microfluidics for the study of mechanotransduction
Christian M Griffith1, Stephanie A Huang1, Crescentia Cho1
1Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Microfluidic platforms offer precise control over cellular mechanical forces, overcoming limitations of traditional models. These advanced systems reveal mechanotransduction mechanisms, aiding research into how cells respond to physical stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Bioengineering
Background:
- Mechanical forces are critical regulators of biological processes across scales.
- Traditional models present challenges in controlling applied forces and cell environments for mechanotransduction studies.
- Microfluidic platforms have emerged as powerful tools for precise mechanical microenvironment control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanotransduction pathways at cell adhesion sites investigated using microfluidics.
- To discuss microfluidic fabrication methods for biological insight.
- To present applications of microfluidics for applying solid and fluid forces to cells.
Main Methods:
- Overview of key mechanotransduction pathways.
- Discussion of microfluidic fabrication techniques, including monolithic and replica molding.
- Examples of applying solid forces (substrate mechanics, strain, compression) and fluid forces (luminal, interstitial).
Main Results:
- Microfluidics enables precise control over the mechanical microenvironment for cell studies.
- Various microfluidic fabrication methods can be tailored for specific biological investigations.
- Demonstrated applications show the utility of microfluidics in applying diverse mechanical forces.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic platforms are essential for advancing the understanding of mechanotransduction.
- The choice of fabrication method and force application strategy impacts biological insights.
- This review provides perspective for researchers utilizing microfluidics to study cellular responses to mechanical forces.
