Berlin 2015 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 39: Cell adhesion, mechanics and migration I (Joint session BP, CPP)
CPP 39.4: Talk
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 10:30–10:45, H 1058
Artificial tissue, Ultra-soft elastomers for cell mechanical investigation — •Viktor Heinrichs1, 2, Sabine Dieluweit1, Jörg Stellbrink2, Rudolf Merkel1, and Dieter Richter2 — 1ICS-7 Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany — 2ICS-1 Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Most animal cells are strongly influenced by the elasticity and topography of their environment. For clear-cut investigation of cellular mechanobiology elastic model substrates are required. These materials should be biocompatible, transparent, suitable for micro structure fabrication and their elasticity should be tuneable in a wide range. However, a Young's modulus of 1 kPa (ultra-soft, necessary to model, e.g., brain or glial tissues) is difficult to achieve [1, 2]. These challenges can be tackled with cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with the additional benefit of long shelf-life. We created a new PDMS material that meets all requirements in cell mechanics and examined it explicitly on viscoelastic properties with a strain controlled rheometer. The elasticity of the PDMS network was tuned via selection of the precursor polymers and their mixing ratio. Values as low as 1.5 kPa have been reliably achieved. First cell mechanical experiments on this novel material basis are underway. [1] C. M. Cesa, N. Kirchgeßner, D. Mayer, U. S. Schwarz, B. Hoffmann, R. Merkel. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2007, 78, 034301. [2] D. T. Butcher, T. Alliston, V. M. Weaver, Nature Rev. Cancer 2009, 9, 108-122.