Systems and methods for directed formation of size-controlled multi-cellular structures and measurement of forces generated by the same
AssigneeForcyte Biotechnologies, Inc.
InventorsIvan Pushkarsky, Junyi Zhao
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Abstract
An assay for measuring cell-generated forces, is disclosed. The assay includes a first substrate comprising an elastic material having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa and a geometric micropattern disposed onto a surface of the substrate. The micropattern is further comprised of at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material, a material with cell adhesion properties, and has an interior region.
Claims29
An assay for measuring cell-generated forces, comprising:
- a first substrate comprising an elastic material having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa;
- and
- a geometric micropattern disposed onto a surface of the substrate, wherein the micropattern comprises at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material and a material with cell adhesion properties, and the micropattern has an interior region.
An array for measuring cell-generated forces, comprising:
- a first substrate comprising an elastic material having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa;
- and
- a plurality of geometric micropatterns disposed onto a surface of the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of micropatterns is comprised of at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material and a material with cell adhesion properties, and the micropattern has an interior region.
A method for producing an assay to measure cell-generated forces, comprising:
- depositing a geometric micropattern onto a planar first substrate having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa, wherein the micropattern comprises at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material and a material with cell adhesion properties, and the micropattern has an interior region.
- providing a plurality of target cells proximate to the micropattern in conditions that promote adhesion of the target cells to the micropattern;
- and
- incubating the target cells in media in conditions that promote cell growth and within the interior region.
A system for measuring cell-generated forces, comprising:
- an assay, comprising:
- a planar substrate comprising an elastic material having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa, and
- a geometric micropattern disposed on a top surface of the substrate, wherein the micropattern comprises at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material and a material with cell adhesion properties, and the micropattern has an interior region;
- a first light source capable of emitting light at a first pre-determined wavelength to excite the fluorophore-conjugated material;
- a detection module operable to capture fluorescent light emitted by the micropattern;
- and
- a computing device capable of receiving image data from the detection module to measure dimensional changes in the micropattern.
A method for measuring cell-generated forces, comprising:
- providing an assay, including:
- a first planar substrate comprising an elastic material having a Young's modulus of between about 0.1 kPa to about 50 kPa, and
- a geometric micropattern disposed onto a top surface of the first planar substrate, wherein the micropattern comprises at least one segment consisting of a fluorophore-conjugated material and a material with cell adhesion properties, and the micropattern has an interior region;
- and a plurality of target cells confined within the boundaries of the micropattern;
- illuminating the assay with a light source set at a predetermined wavelength;
- and
- measuring a dimensional change of the micropattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.