Berlin 2005 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help
CPP: Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 9: SYMPOSIUM: Polymer networks and beyond: From molecular structure to materials and biological functions POSTER
CPP 9.17: Poster
Saturday, March 5, 2005, 16:45–18:45, Poster TU D
Switching 2D-3D Growth of Epithelial Cells by Physical and/or Chemical Cues — •Jens Ulmer1,2, Aldo Ferrari3, Joachim Spatz1,2, and Ruth Kroschewski3 — 1Universität Heidelberg, Biophysikalische Chemie — 2MPI für Metallforschung, Stuttgart — 3ETH Zürich, Institut für Biochemie
Adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial event in multi-cellular organism. It modulates cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. 2D Collagen gels have been engineered for defined and quantitative studies of cell-ECM interactions. The 2D Collagen gel is a flexible substrate with a rigidity of 30-100 Pa and can influence cellular behaviour through biochemical signalling and its biophysical properties. To decouple chemical from physical cues, we have developed a micro arrayed substrate where modulation of surface stiffness is possible at constant presence of ECM molecules. Microfabricated PDMS posts, which have a post height dependent spring constant between 0.2-0.04 N/m were coated with reconstituted collagen Typ I. Kidney epithelial cells (MDCK) were seeded on top of the 2D Collagen gel. First results indicate that cell proliferation is reduced on softer substrates and guides polarized 3D cell lumen growth. In contrast, cells on stiffer substrates with same ECM density form 2D cell layers without polarized lumen.