The TissueTractor, a device for applying large strains to tissues and cells for simultaneous high-resolution live...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Developmental Biology
• Cellular Mechanotransduction

Background:

• Mechanical strain significantly impacts tissue development, function, and disease progression.
• Existing methods for applying strain to live tissues have limitations in range and duration.
• Understanding mechanotransduction is key to addressing congenital abnormalities and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel high-strain stretcher system, the TissueTractor, for live tissue imaging.
• To enable precise spatiotemporal control of mechanical strain (0% to over 150%) in biological samples.
• To facilitate research into the role of mechanical forces in tissue dynamics and morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Development of the TissueTractor, a high-strain stretcher system.
• High-resolution spatiotemporal imaging of live tissues under controlled strain.
• Application of the system to Xenopus laevis organotypic explants, human umbilical endothelial cells, and mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes.

Main Results:

• The TissueTractor successfully applied strains from 0% to over 150% to various live tissue models.
• Demonstrated adaptability across different cell types and tissue explants.
• Enabled high-resolution imaging during mechanical stimulation.

Conclusions:

• The TissueTractor is a versatile tool for investigating the effects of mechanical strain on live tissues.
• This system can deepen the understanding of mechanical cues in tissue dynamics, development, and disease.
• Facilitates research into mechanobiology and morphogenesis.