Spontaneous functional localization of different type of cells with an elasticity-tunable microfiber gel matrix

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12513
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: KIDOAKI Satoru 九州大学, 先導物質化学研究所, 教授 (10336018)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: がん転移 / 腫瘍細胞 / 細胞運動 / 組織工学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Controlling the three-dimensional movement of cells is one of the important fundamental technologies of tissue engineering. In this study, we have investigated the design of mechanical conditions of the artifical extraculluar matrix, i.e, the electrospun microgel fiber matrix of photocrosslinkable gelatin capable of modulating the elastic modulus and the degree of fiber bonding. Based on the methodology, we have developed the design technology for three-dimensional microscopic mechanical field to induce the sponteneous functional localization of cells. As one example of its operation, we examined the effect of the mechanical field on the three-dimensional invasion behavior of cancer cells, and successfully designed the mechanical condition of extracellular matrix that captures only malignant cancer cells without penetrating normal cells.

Free Research Field

医用生物物理工学