Development of analytical systems for mouse embryos applied with mechanical stimuli

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350501
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Okayama University of Science (2016); Okayama University (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Matsuura Koji 岡山理科大学, 工学部, 准教授 (70443223)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Asano Yuka 岡山理科大学, 工学部・生命医療工学科, 研究補助員 (40726741) ; Naruse Keiji 岡山大学, 大学院・医歯薬学総合研究科, 教授 (40252233)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マウス受精卵 / メカニカルストレス / マイクロ流路

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Molecular mechanisms for responses to mechanical stimuli (MS) in mammalian embryos are dependent on developmental stage of the embryos and/or the organization of macromolecules inside the embryo. In this study, we constructed an analytical system to evaluate the mechanism based on microscopic observations. By holding mouse embryos with a holding pipette inserted into the microchannel, we analyzed changes of cell shape and intracellular calcium concentration based on fluorescence ratio imaging. To record the images of the embryos during culture, we prepared an embryo culture system equipped with a CO2 gas blender and a stage heater under an inverted microscope. Embryos in the two-cell stage developed to blastocysts using this system. Moreover, we developed a microfluidic system, a cell culture method using hydrogel and a method to engineer a cellular layer that can be applied to embryonic culture.

Free Research Field

生殖医工学