Project Title: Stretching Device for High-Resolution Live-Cell Imaging


Sponsor(s)
Jan Lammerding, Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Engineering & Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University
Contact:
Jan.Lammerding@Cornell.edu

Project Description:
Mechanical forces play a crucial role in the regulation of mammalian cell structure and function; conversely, cellular structure and mechanics determine how cells respond to mechanical stimulation. For example, muscle cells grow stronger when subjected to exercise, but become damaged in the case of excessive strain application. Genetic mutations can perturb cellular structure and result in a variety of diseases, ranging from muscular dystrophies to premature aging and cancer. In order to address the gaps in our understanding of such diseases as they relate to cellular biomechanics, there is a need for affordable and customized research tools capable of delivering controlled, mechanical stimuli to cells in vitro while imaging the induced cellular response.
The goal of this project is to design and fabricate a uniaxial stretching device for high-resolution, live-cell imaging. This device will attach to an inverted fluorescence and/or confocal microscope and apply precisely controlled mechanical strain to cells cultured on a thin, transparent elastic membrane (the cell chamber). Vibrations must be minimized to clearly visualize cellular and subcellular deformations at high magnification. The induced strain should be controllable through a computer interface, where the user can adjust the strain magnitude (up to 25%) and the strain application rate. Following background research and brainstorming with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, the student(s) will determine the most suited method to apply the strain and the overall design of the device to enable optimal imaging conditions of cells before, during, and after strain application.
Once successfully completed, the device will be implemented in the Lammerding Lab as a research tool for investigating the mechanical consequences of genetic defects responsible for muscular dystrophy, as well as characterizing the biophysical properties of various cancer cells and healthy controls. Due to its inherent versatility, the device may find additional future use for numerous cell lines and pathologies.

Project field:

  1. Software X
  2. Device development X
  3. Biochemical process
  4. Theoretical analysis
  5. In vivo or in vitro experiments X
  6. Microfabrication or nanotechnology
  7. Other- describe
  8. Is this a Team project (Y/N) Y How many students ___1–2___?
  9. What background should student have: ME, CBE, ECE, ? ECE, ME?


The goal of this project is to design and fabricate a uniaxial cell strain device that can be used in conjunction with an inverted microscope. The relevant technological fields required include:

  1. Mechanical hardware design and machining. It may also include polymer (PDMS) molding/fabrication for the cell chamber.
  2. Electrical engineering of device power supply and controller interface with computer (project can use commercially available controller/interface parts).
  3. Programming a basic computer interface to apply user-controlled parameters.



Criteria for success or key milestones

The students will be expected to

  1. Perform background research and brainstorming. Formulate preliminary design based on customer requirements by the end of month 1.
  2. Finalize the system-level design: identify the systems within the device, necessary parts and components to purchase/build, and the interfacing that will be necessary before the end of month 3.
  3. Build the first prototype before the end of month 6.
  4. Create a testing plan and validate device performance by the end of month 8.
  5. Deliver the final product and instructions for use by the end of month 9.


The final product should be able to

  1. Apply up to 25% uniaxial strain at a controllable rate to live cells cultured on elastic membrane.
  2. Be mounted on an inverted microscope stage.
  3. Enable imaging at high magnification.
  4. Be controlled through a computer interface.
  5. Be usable with simple and easy to produce cell culture surface (e.g., cell chamber made from PDMS)


Other relevant materials or resources needed for the project.


The lab houses both an epifluorescence and a confocal microscope and is equipped with computers that run mechanical design software. All of the necessary resources for PDMS fabrication reside within the lab. Additional funding for parts and machining may be granted upon request and permission of the PI.

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