Name: observing and quantifying fibroblast-mediated fibrin gel compaction
Uploaded: 2014-01-16T13:45:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction at JoVE.com

We thank George Giudice and Steven Eliason for donating human dermal fibroblasts and Ramesh Raghupathy for help with the strain tracking algorithm.&#160;Support for this work was provided by a U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship (GAANN P200A120071).

1. Stencil Preparation
Prepare a stencil on Parafilm to layout the location of each explant, following the desired geometry (Figures 1A and 1B). Space each explant approximately 1-2 mm apart. This distance corresponds to an ideal spacing for generating fiber alignment between explants. Attach the stencil underneath the area of the coverglass where the sample will be prepared with tape.
2. Sterilization
<p class="jov...

<ol>
	<li>Grinnell, F., Petroll WM, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+motility+and+mechanics+in+three-dimensional+collagen+matrices.">Cell motility and mechanics in three-dimensional collagen matrices.</a> Annu. Rev. Cell. Dev. Biol. 26, 335-361 (2001).</li><li>Sander, E. A., Barocas, V. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Biomimetic collagen tissues: collagenous tissue engineering and other applications. In: Collagen: Structure and Mechanics. , (2008).</li><li>Pedersen JA, ., Swartz MA, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanobiology+in+the+third+dimension.">Mechanobiology in the third dimension.</a> Ann. Biomed. Eng. 33 (11), 1469-1490 (2005).</li><li>Bell, E., Ivarsson, B., Merrill, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+of+a+tissue-like+structure+by+contraction+of+collagen+lattices+by+human+fibroblasts+of+different+proliferative+potential+in+vitro.">Production of a tissue-like structure by contraction of collagen lattices by human fibroblasts of different proliferative potential in vitro.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76 (3), 1274 (1979).</li><li>Guidry, C., Grinnell, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+on+the+mechanism+of+hydrated+collagen+gel+reorganization+by+human+skin+fibroblasts.">Studies on the mechanism of hydrated collagen gel reorganization by human skin fibroblasts.</a> J. Cell. Sci. 79 (1), 67-81 (1985).</li><li>Fluck, J., Querfeld, C., Cremer, A., Niland, S., Krieg, T., Sollberg, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Normal+human+primary+fibroblasts+undergo+apoptosis+in+three-dimensional+contractile+collagen+gels.">Normal human primary fibroblasts undergo apoptosis in three-dimensional contractile collagen gels.</a> J. Invest. Dermatol. 110 (2), 153-157 (1998).</li><li>Rosenfeldt, H., Grinnell, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibroblast+quiescence+and+the+disruption+of+ERK+signaling+in+mechanically+unloaded+collagen+matrices.">Fibroblast quiescence and the disruption of ERK signaling in mechanically unloaded collagen matrices.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 275 (5), 3088-3092 (2000).</li><li>Nakagawa, S., Pawelek, P., Grinnell, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+culture+of+fibroblasts+in+contracted+collagen+gels:+Effects+on+cell+growth+and+biosynthetic+activity.">Long-term culture of fibroblasts in contracted collagen gels: Effects on cell growth and biosynthetic activity.</a> J. Invest. Dermatol. 93 (6), 792-798 (1989).</li><li>Harris, A. K., Stopak, D., Wild, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibroblast+traction+as+a+mechanism+for+collagen+morphogenesis.">Fibroblast traction as a mechanism for collagen morphogenesis.</a> Nature. 290, 249-251 (1981).</li><li>Stopak, D., Harris AK, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Connective+tissue+morphogenesis+by+fibroblast+traction:+I.+tissue+culture+observations.">Connective tissue morphogenesis by fibroblast traction: I. tissue culture observations.</a> Dev. Biol. 90 (2), 383-398 (1982).</li><li>Sawhney, R. K., Howard, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Slow+local+movements+of+collagen+fibers+by+fibroblasts+drive+the+rapid+global+self-organization+of+collagen+gels.">Slow local movements of collagen fibers by fibroblasts drive the rapid global self-organization of collagen gels.</a> J. Cell. Biol. 157 (6), 1083-1092 (2002).</li><li>Provenzano, P. P., Inman, D. R., Eliceiri, K. W., Trier, S. M., Keely, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contact+guidance+mediated+three-dimensional+cell+migration+is+regulated+by+rho/ROCK-dependent+matrix+reorganization.">Contact guidance mediated three-dimensional cell migration is regulated by rho/ROCK-dependent matrix reorganization.</a> Biophys. J. 95 (11), 5374 (2008).</li><li>Sander, E., Barocas, V., Tranquillo, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Initial+fiber+alignment+pattern+alters+extracellular+matrix+synthesis+in+fibroblast-populated+fibrin+gel+cruciforms+and+correlates+with+predicted+tension.">Initial fiber alignment pattern alters extracellular matrix synthesis in fibroblast-populated fibrin gel cruciforms and correlates with predicted tension.</a> Ann. Biomed. Eng. 39 (2), 714-729 (2011).</li><li>Barocas, V. H., Tranquillo, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+anisotropic+biphasic+theory+of+tissue-equivalent+mechanics:+the+interplay+among+cell+traction,+fibrillar+network+deformation,+fibril+alignment,+and+cell+contact+guidance.">An anisotropic biphasic theory of tissue-equivalent mechanics: the interplay among cell traction, fibrillar network deformation, fibril alignment, and cell contact guidance.</a> J. Biomech. Eng. 119, 137-146 (1997).</li><li>Neidert, M. R., Tranquillo, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tissue-engineered+valves+with+commissural+alignment.">Tissue-engineered valves with commissural alignment.</a> Tissue Eng. 12 (4), 891-903 (2006).</li><li>Robinson PS, ., Robinson PS, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Planar+biaxial+behavior+of+fibrin-based+tissue-engineered+heart+valve+leaflets.">Planar biaxial behavior of fibrin-based tissue-engineered heart valve leaflets.</a> Tissue Eng. Part A. 15 (10), 2763-2772 (2009).</li><li>Grassl, E., Oegema, T., Tranquillo, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrin+as+an+alternative+biopolymer+to+type+I+collagen+for+the+fabrication+of+a+media+equivalent.">Fibrin as an alternative biopolymer to type I collagen for the fabrication of a media equivalent.</a> J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 60 (4), 607-612 (2002).</li><li>Paten, J. A., Zareian, R., Saeidi, N., Melotti, S. A., Ruberti, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+performance+of+an+optically+accessible,+low-volume,+mechanobioreactor+for+long-term+study+of+living+constructs.">Design and performance of an optically accessible, low-volume, mechanobioreactor for long-term study of living constructs.</a> Tissue Eng. Part C Methods. 17 (7), 775-788 (2001).</li><li>Ye KY, ., Sulli van KE, ., Black LD, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Encapsulation+of+cardiomyocytes+in+a+fibrin+hydrogel+for+cardiac+tissue+engineering.">Encapsulation of cardiomyocytes in a fibrin hydrogel for cardiac tissue engineering.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (55), (2011).</li><li>Ahmann, K. A., Weinbaum, J. S., Johnson, S. L., Tranquillo, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrin+degradation+enhances+vascular+smooth+muscle+cell+proliferation+and+matrix+deposition+in+fibrin-based+tissue+constructs+fabricated+in+vitro.">Fibrin degradation enhances vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and matrix deposition in fibrin-based tissue constructs fabricated in vitro.</a> Tissue Eng. Part A. 16 (10), 3261-3270 (2010).</li><li>Raghupathy, R., Witzenburg, C., Lake, S. P., Sander, E. A., Barocas, V. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+regional+mechanical+anisotropy+in+soft+tissue+analogs.">Identification of regional mechanical anisotropy in soft tissue analogs.</a> J. Biomech. Eng. 133, (2011).</li><li>Robinson, P. S., Johnson, S. L., Evans, M. C., Barocas, V. H., Tranquillo, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+tissue-engineered+valves+from+cell-remodeled+fibrin+with+commissural+alignment+of+cell-produced+collagen.">Functional tissue-engineered valves from cell-remodeled fibrin with commissural alignment of cell-produced collagen.</a> Tissue Eng. Part A. 14 (1), 83-95 (2008).</li><li>Gabbiani, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+myofibroblast+in+wound+healing+and+fibrocontractive+diseases.">The myofibroblast in wound healing and fibrocontractive diseases.</a> J. Pathol. 200 (4), 500-503 (2003).</li><li>PaszeK, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tensional+homeostasis+and+the+malignant+phenotype.">Tensional homeostasis and the malignant phenotype.</a> Cancer Cell. 8 (3), 241-254 (2005).</li><li>Grinnell, F., Rocha L, B., Iucu, C., Rhee, S., Jiang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nested+collagen+matrices:+A+new+model+to+study+migration+of+human+fibroblast+populations+in+three+dimensions.">Nested collagen matrices: A new model to study migration of human fibroblast populations in three dimensions.</a> Exp. Cell. Res. 312 (1), 86-94 (2006).</li><li>Miron-Mendoza, M., Seemann, J., Grinnell, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+differential+regulation+of+cell+motile+activity+through+matrix+stiffness+and+porosity+in+three+dimensional+collagen+matrices.">The differential regulation of cell motile activity through matrix stiffness and porosity in three dimensional collagen matrices.</a> Biomaterials. 31 (25), 6425-6435 (2010).</li><li>Wakatsuki, T., Kolodney MS, ., Zahalak GI, ., Elson EL, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+mechanics+studied+by+a+reconstituted+model+tissue.">Cell mechanics studied by a reconstituted model tissue.</a> Biophys. J. 79 (5), 2353-2368 (2000).</li><li>De Jesus, A., Aghvami, M., Sander, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibroblast-mediated+fiber+realignment+in+fibrin+gels.">Fibroblast-mediated fiber realignment in fibrin gels.</a> , (2013).</li><li>Aghvami, M., Barocas, V. H., Sander, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiscale+mechanical+simulations+of+cell+compacted+collagen+gels.">Multiscale mechanical simulations of cell compacted collagen gels.</a> J. Biomech. Eng. 135, (2013).</li></ol>

This protocol was developed for the purpose of observing and quantifying the mechanics involved in cell-mediated ECM remodeling. Such processes underlie a number of biological phenomena and have important implications for engineering tissues2,22, reducing scar1,23, and understanding pathological tissue remodeling12,24. The use of time-lapse DIC microscopy allows one to resolve and quantify the displacement and alignment of fibrin fibers that occurs as a result of cell traction forces. The...

An important tool for studying cell-matrix interactions is the cell populated collagen gel1,2. The gel provides a 3D environment that is closer to the in vivo character of the tissue and better suited for understanding cell behavior than is offered by traditional 2D cultures3. Early studies in which fibroblasts were homogenously distributed within a collagen gel found that the cells rapidly consolidate the collagen fibers and compact the gel4,5. The contractile fibroblasts in free floating gels then transition into a quiescent state soon after the gel has fully reached compaction1,6,7. The fibroblasts in gels that are constrained at the boundaries remain in an active, synthetic state8&#160;and they generate fiber alignment in a manner dependent on gel geometry and external constraints5,9. Differences in cell activity appear to be a result of the internal tension (or lack thereof) that develops as the cells exert traction forces via integrins on the collagen fibers in the gel.
A variant of this technique involves placing fibroblast explants (i.e.&#160;clumps of cells) a distance apart within a collagen gel and observing cell-matrix interactions and the gradual development of fiber alignment between the explants (sometimes called ligament-like straps)10-12. The primary advantage of the explant system is that it allows one to arrange the cells into simple geometric patterns, which makes it easier to visualize and probe the mechanisms underlying cell-driven fiber realignment. These alignment patterns &#8212; which are dependent primarily on the interplay between cell traction forces, cell spatial distribution, gel geometry, and the mechanical constraints on the gel &#8212; are important to understand because they play a central role in global tissue organization, mechanical function, and local mechanical environment13.
In the field of tissue engineering, one strategy for producing mechanically functional, engineered-tissues involves controlling the fiber alignment pattern that develops from cell compaction so that the engineered tissue possesses fiber alignment that mimics that of the native tissue14,15. Such alignment is believed necessary for engineered tissues to replicate the complex mechanical behavior of native tissues. A modification of this strategy is to replace the collagen gel with a fibrin gel16. The fibrin gel develops a similar alignment pattern as a collagen gel during compaction. Over time the fibrin is degraded and replaced with cell-synthesized ECM that follows the initial fibrin fiber alignment pattern. The resulting engineered construct has significantly improved mechanical properties compared to collagen gel derived constructs17.
The alignment process and subsequent remodeling events in fibrin gels proceed in a complicated and poorly understood manner. To better characterize these interactions and their effect on cell behavior and ECM remodeling, we have developed a procedure that is based on the explant method. In this method, fibroblast explants are positioned on a fibrin gel in different geometric patterns. The gels are maintained in an environmentally-controlled, microscope-mounted bioreactor18, and the process of compaction and fiber realignment is monitored with time-lapse differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. Displacement fields are quantified with custom algorithms. The data obtained from these experiments have wide ranging implications for a number of processes, including optimizing tissue engineering strategies, improving wound healing, and treating pathological tissue remodeling.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F8630</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>T4648</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gibco</td>
			<td>11965-092</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gibco</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A2942</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H0887</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>223506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gibco</td>
			<td>25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td>3000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Lonza</td>
			<td>DE14-701F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>F8858</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">GIBCO</td>
			<td>A10483-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">GIBCO</td>
			<td>11430-030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fisher-Scientific</td>
			<td>SS264-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A3428-25MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:297px;">Biotense Bioreactor</td>
			<td style="width:85px;">ADMET</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ti-Eclipe Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"># 0 35 mm Glass Bottom Petri Dish</td>
			<td>MatTek</td>
			<td>P35G-0-20-C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"># 0 35 mm Glass Top Petri Dish</td>
			<td>MatTek</td>
			<td>P35GTOP-0-20-C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Plastic Luer fittings, PVC tubing with Luer ends</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>30600-65</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

observing and quantifying fibroblast-mediated fibrin gel compaction

Cells embedded in collagen and fibrin gels attach and exert traction forces on the fibers of the gel. These forces can lead to local and global reorganization and realignment of the gel microstructure. This process proceeds in a complex manner that is dependent in part on the interplay between the location of the cells, the geometry of the gel, and the mechanical constraints on the gel. To better understand how these variables produce global fiber alignment patterns, we use time-lapse differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy coupled with an environmentally controlled bioreactor to observe the compaction process between geometrically spaced explants (clusters of fibroblasts). The images are then analyzed with a custom image processing algorithm to obtain maps of the strain. The information obtained from this technique can be used to probe the mechanobiology of various cell-matrix interactions, which has important implications for understanding processes in wound healing, disease development, and tissue engineering applications.

Tissue remodeling is a complex process that is driven in part by reciprocal physical interactions between cells and the surrounding matrix. The cells reorganize the surrounding fibers and generate tension in the fiber network. The alignment of fibers and mechanical environment in turn controls cell behavior, so that both cells and matrix globally reorganize to produce remodeled tissue. In this experiment, the cells of the explants, initially round in morphology, began to extend into the gel and adhere to the fibrin fiber...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction at JoVE.com

Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction

Time-lapse microscopy and image processing techniques were used to observe and analyze fibroblast-mediated gel compaction and fibrin fiber realignment in an environmentally controlled bioreactor over a 48 hr&#160;period.

Cells embedded in collagen and fibrin gels attach and exert traction forces on the fibers of the gel. These forces can lead to local and global ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Preparation of Complaint Matrices for Quantifying Cellular Contraction

The regulation of cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for cell migration and ECM remodeling.  Focal adhesions are ...

Fabrication of Micro-tissues using Modules of Collagen Gel Containing Cells

This protocol describes the fabrication of a type of micro-tissues called modules.  The module approach generates uniform, scalable and vascularized ...

Encapsulation of Cardiomyocytes in a Fibrin Hydrogel for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Culturing cells in a three dimensional hydrogel environment is an important technique for developing constructs for tissue engineering as well as studying ...

Preparation of 3D Fibrin Scaffolds for Stem Cell Culture Applications

Stem cells are found in naturally occurring 3D microenvironments in vivo, which are often referred to as the stem cell niche 1. Culturing stem cells ...

Engineering Fibrin-based Tissue Constructs from Myofibroblasts and Application of Constraints and Strain to Induce Cell and Collagen Reorganization

Collagen content and organization in developing collagenous tissues can be influenced by local tissue strains and tissue constraint. Tissue engineers aim ...

Characterization of Leukocyte-platelet Rich Fibrin, A Novel Biomaterial

Autologous platelet concentrates represent promising innovative tools in the field of regenerative medicine and have been extensively used in oral ...

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Polymer vesicles, or polymersomes, are being widely explored as synthetic analogs of lipid vesicles based on their stability, robustness, barrier ...

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting

Intraoperative imaging techniques have the potential to make surgical interventions safer and more effective; for these reasons, such techniques are ...

A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time

Microfluidic models of hemostasis assess platelet function under conditions of hydrodynamic shear, but in the presence of anticoagulants, this analysis is ...

Gel-seq: A Method for Simultaneous Sequencing Library Preparation of DNA and RNA Using Hydrogel Matrices

The ability to amplify and sequence either DNA or RNA from small starting samples has only been achieved in the last five years. Unfortunately, the ...