Kirkham, G. R. et al. (2015) Precision assembly of complex cellular microenvironments using holographic optical tweezers. Scientific Reports, 5, p. 8577. (doi: 10.1038/srep08577) (PMID:25716032) (PMCID:PMC4341216)
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Abstract
The accurate study of cellular microenvironments is limited by the lack of technologies that can manipulate cells in 3D at a sufficiently small length scale. The ability to build and manipulate multicellular microscopic structures will facilitate a more detailed understanding of cellular function in fields such as developmental and stem cell biology. We present a holographic optical tweezers based technology to accurately generate bespoke cellular micro-architectures. Using embryonic stem cells, 3D structures of varying geometries were created and stabilized using hydrogels and cell-cell adhesion methods. Control of chemical microenvironments was achieved by the temporal release of specific factors from polymer microparticles positioned within these constructs. Complex co-culture micro-environmental analogues were also generated to reproduce structures found within adult stem cell niches. The application of holographic optical tweezers-based micromanipulation will enable novel insights into biological microenvironments by allowing researchers to form complex architectures with sub-micron precision of cells, matrices and molecules.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Gibson, Dr Graham and Padgett, Professor Miles |
Authors: | Kirkham, G. R., Britchford, E., Upton, T., Ware, J., Gibson, G. M., Devaud, Y., Ehrbar, M., Padgett, M., Allen, S., Buttery, L. D., and Shakesheff, K. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Journal Name: | Scientific Reports |
Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
ISSN: | 2045-2322 |
ISSN (Online): | 2045-2322 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2015 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Scientific Reports 5:8577 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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