Cell stretching device with nanofiber mats for mechanobiology

Introduction

Mechanobiology, the study of how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior, is a rapidly evolving field. Devices that apply mechanical stimuli to cells, such as cell stretching devices, are crucial for understanding these processes. Recent advancements have integrated nanofiber mats into these devices to better mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provide more physiologically relevant conditions.

Key Insights

Hybrid Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Mechanobiology:
- Hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds grafted with gelatin-functionalized polystyrene microspheres can effectively simulate mechanical stress on fibroblast cells, leading to significant changes in traction force and cytoskeletal dynamics.
3D Printed Uniaxial Cell Stretchers:
- Uniaxial cell stretchers, which can be easily modified and are cost-effective, allow for both static and cyclic stretching, facilitating microscopic and biochemical analyses of mechanotransduction .
Omnidirectional Stretchable Nanogenerators:
- Stretchable piezoelectric nanogenerators (SPENGs) with hybrid nanofibers exhibit high stretchability and mechanical durability, making them suitable for energy harvesting and wearable sensing systems.
Economical and High-Performance Stretching Devices:
- Uniaxial cyclic cell stretching devices can significantly reduce the time required for cellular studies, demonstrating comparable results in a fraction of the time compared to previous devices.
DIY Biology Approach for Cell Stretching:
- Arduino-based systems for cell stretching are accessible and low-cost, allowing for periodic mechanical stimulation of cells, which is essential for educational and research purposes.
3D Mechanical Stimulation Platforms:
- Platforms with hydrogel arrays enable 3D dynamic mechanical stretching of cell-seeded biomaterials, providing insights into the mechanobiological cues in tissue engineering.
Equibiaxial Stretching Devices:
- Equibiaxial stretching devices with homogeneous strain regions allow for precise biochemical analysis of cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.
Single-Cell Level Mechanobiology:
- Stimuli-responsive hydrogels in 3D microscaffolds enable the study of mechanobiology at the single-cell level, showing how cells remodel their cytoskeleton and adjust traction forces in response to mechanical stretch.
Isotropic Cell Stretch Systems:
- Isotropic cell stretch systems, like the IsoStretcher, provide versatile tools for studying mechanosensation and mechanotransduction in living cells.
Low-Cost Printable Stretching Apparatus:
- Printable cell stretching devices offer a cost-effective solution for applying tensile strains to cells, maintaining cell viability and morphology during sustained and cyclic stretching.

Conclusion

The integration of nanofiber mats into cell stretching devices has significantly advanced the field of mechanobiology. These devices, ranging from hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds to low-cost printable stretchers, provide diverse and effective means to study cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. They offer valuable insights into cellular mechanotransduction, cytoskeletal dynamics, and the development of tissue engineering applications.

Cell stretching device with nanofiber mats for mechanobiology

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Fabrication of Nanofibrous Scaffold Grafted with Gelatin Functionalized Polystyrene Microspheres for Manifesting Nanomechanical Cues of Stretch Stimulated Fibroblast.

A hybrid nanofibrous scaffold grafted with gelatin functionalized polystyrene microspheres effectively assesses fibroblast cells' mechanobiology in response to stretch cycles, providing insights into focal adhesion protein sequestration and cellular cytoskeletal dynamics.

Design of a 3D printed, motorized, uniaxial cell stretcher for microscopic and biochemical analysis of mechanotransduction

The 3D printed uniaxial cell stretcher is an affordable, customizable tool for studying cell responses to mechanical cues, aiding in mechanobiological research.

An Omnidirectionally Stretchable Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Hybrid Nanofibers and Carbon Electrodes for Multimodal Straining and Human Kinematics Energy Harvesting

The nanofiber SPENG, based on hybrid nanofibers and carbon electrodes, is a highly stretchable and robust device for human kinematics energy harvesting, making it suitable for self-powered wearable sensing systems.

Uniaxial Cyclic Cell Stretching Device for Accelerating Cellular Studies

This new uniaxial cell stretching device enables efficient cellular studies within 30 minutes, reducing stretching time and increasing overall efficiency in mechanobiology research.

A Fully Integrated Arduino-Based System for the Application of Stretching Stimuli to Living Cells and Their Time-Lapse Observation: A Do-It-Yourself Biology Approach

This Arduino-based cell stretcher allows for easy, low-cost exposure of living cells to periodic mechanical stimuli, allowing for a mechanobiological signal integration and cell reorientation and migration analysis.

A microfabricated platform with hydrogel arrays for 3D mechanical stimulation of cells.

This study developed a deformable membrane platform that enables 3D dynamic mechanical stretch of biomaterial constructs, enabling efficient screening of cell fate and function in tissue engineering applications.

Design and Construction of an Equibiaxial Cell Stretching System That Is Improved for Biochemical Analysis

Our equibiaxial stretching device allows for accurate and sensitive studies of cellular biochemical responses to fine changes in substrate strain, improving cell mechanobiology research.

Mechanical stimulation of single cells by reversible host-guest interactions in 3D microscaffolds

Stimuli-responsive microscaffolds can stretch single cells, allowing them to adjust to new dynamic set points and highlighting the importance of functional myosin motors in cellular tensional homeostasis.

The IsoStretcher: An isotropic cell stretch device to study mechanical biosensor pathways in living cells.

The IsoStretcher is a versatile tool for studying mechanical biosensor pathways in living cells, enabling biaxial or multiaxial stretch and simultaneous live-cell microscopy analysis.

Printable low-cost, sustained and dynamic cell stretching apparatus.

Our low-cost, printable cell stretching apparatus maintains cell viability, adhesion, and morphology while applying tensile strains to cells cultured on elastic substrates.

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