Title page for E-project-042606-160138

Project Type MQP

Submission date 2006-04-26

Authors
Molly Conforte, BE
Maria Mavromatis, ME
Jacquelyn Youssef, BE

URN E-project-042606-160138

Title A Method for Determining the Effect of Stiffness and Stretch on Cell Phenotype

Advisors
Billiar, Kristen, BE
Pins, George, BE

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
In order to elucidate the interrelated effects of mechanical stimuli on cell phenotype in vitro, we developed a method for culturing cells at various levels of substrate stiffness and equibiaxial stretch. Polydimethylsiloxane was polymerized on flexible silicone membranes at different ratios of elastomer base to crosslinker to modulate stiffness. The membranes were stretched using a vacuum-driven system. Image analysis verified the uniformity of the strain field applied to the cells. Microscopic analysis of stretched and static samples demonstrated cell viability.

Files
Stretch_MQP_Final_Report.pdf

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Project Type	MQP
Submission date	2006-04-26
Authors	Molly Conforte, BE Maria Mavromatis, ME Jacquelyn Youssef, BE
URN	E-project-042606-160138
Title	A Method for Determining the Effect of Stiffness and Stretch on Cell Phenotype
Advisors	Billiar, Kristen, BE Pins, George, BE
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract In order to elucidate the interrelated effects of mechanical stimuli on cell phenotype in vitro, we developed a method for culturing cells at various levels of substrate stiffness and equibiaxial stretch. Polydimethylsiloxane was polymerized on flexible silicone membranes at different ratios of elastomer base to crosslinker to modulate stiffness. The membranes were stretched using a vacuum-driven system. Image analysis verified the uniformity of the strain field applied to the cells. Microscopic analysis of stretched and static samples demonstrated cell viability.
Files	Stretch_MQP_Final_Report.pdf