Bio-Mechanical Interfaces for Cell-Based Microsystems

摘要

The MURI represents a multidisciplinary program to develop hybrid microsystems that combine mammalian cells as functional components with conventional solid-state materials. Nanomechanical elements provide the interface between the adherent cells and materials, and are designed to transduce biological and mechanical signals at this interface. The first aim of the work has developed an integrated platform for installing mechanical interfaces to cells, including mechanical sensor and actuator arrays, surface chemistries to install selective interactions between the solid-state and cellular components, integration of engineered cells on the devices, development of multi-scale models to describe the bio-mechanical coupling, and characterization of the durability of cell-mechanical interfaces. The second aim employs this platform for fundamental studies to understand the basis for mechanical coupling including the mechanical signatures for several important cellular activities, the limits by which mechanical actuation can influence cellular behaviors and provides experimental data to guide model development and characterization of fatigue and failure in the devices. The third aim will apply these advances to prototype cell-based devices with high impact for the DoD. These microsystem technologies include stand-alone sensors for CBW agents, actuation in MEMS devices, active coatings for signature reduction, and hybrid technologies for extracting energy from the environment.