| 研究実績の概要 |
In recent years, the effects of material topography and shapes on cellular behaviors have come under focus. The initial objective of this project was to investigate the possibility of direcitonal control of cell migration using topographical cues (by using asymmetrically patterned), in an attempt to guide and tune the movement of different types of cells through these microchannels using only such topographical cues.
Initially, we encountered a problem using PDMS microchannels, because the cell survivability was low and their migration behaviors were altered due to the lack of sufficient gas transfers. We thus turned to RGD-modified tetra-PEG hydrogels, which allows for a more uniform and higher gas transfer capabilities. Cell survivability over extended periods of time in the hydrogel microchannels was confirmed. We also tested different types of cells, both cancerous and non-cancerous, in the hydrogel microchannels and found cell-type-dependent migratory behaviors, especially at the edges of the microchannels. In short, we found that 3D topographies enhance cell motility but differently for various cell types and we were able to differentiate cancerous and non-cancerous cell types.
However, due to the expansion of tetra-PEG hydrogels in aqueous solutions, it was difficult to make precise micro-patterned microchannels, and thus difficult to direct the directional movement of cells. Recently, there has been a development of non-expanding hydrogels, so we will try to incorporate these hydrogels to make micropatterned hydrogel microchannels.
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