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UV laser-processed microstructure for building biohybrid actuators with anisotropic movement
Hiroaki Mita1, Yosuke Mizuno1, Hiroto Tanaka2,3
1School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-50, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
Biofabrication
|February 8, 2024
Summary
Researchers engineered a biohybrid actuator using UV laser-processed microgrooves to align muscle cells. This technique enables complex, lifelike movements in biohybrid devices by controlling cellular alignment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Biohybrid actuators require precisely aligned muscle cells for lifelike movement.
- Existing methods for cellular alignment are limited in flexibility and complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a UV laser-based microfabrication technique for directing cellular alignment.
- To engineer a novel biohybrid actuator with controlled muscle cell organization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) (SBS) thin films with microgrooves using UV laser ablation.
- Alignment of skeletal myotubes along straight, circular, or curved microgrooves.
- Electrical stimulation of the biohybrid actuator to induce contraction.
Main Results:
- Successfully aligned skeletal myotubes along tailor-made microgrooves on SBS films.
- Demonstrated that curved microgrooves induce twisted-like contraction, unlike straight microgrooves.
- Showcased UV laser ablation as a rapid, maskless technique for complex microgroove patterning.
Conclusions:
- UV laser processing enables versatile microgroove fabrication for controlled cellular alignment.
- Biohybrid actuators with anisotropically aligned myotubes can achieve complex, lifelike motions.
- This technique offers significant potential for developing advanced biohybrid devices.
