The effect of nanoforces on the attachment of cells

[摘要] This research aims to investigate whether nanoforce on a substrate surface is an important factor in the attachment of anchorage dependent cells. Based on the correlation between nanoforces and cell attachment, a convenient methodology to design and assess the surface of biomaterials were also tested. This research not only expands the understanding of cell attachment but also has the potential to preview how well cells can attach to a surface conveniently. In the research, firstly, a series of atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation experiments were carried out on MC3T3 cells under different conditions. Hertz and Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact models were applied to fit the force-displacement data.Then the correlation between nanoforces and cell attachment were investigated through experiments on several substrates with four different cell types: MC3T3, chicken tendon fibroblasts (CTF), mouse endothelial cells (MEC)and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC).AFM was used to acquire surface properties, and the MTT assay was utilised to assess the viable cell numbers. In the end, two new graphene composite materials, a graphene platelet composite of alumina ceramic (Al2O3/GPL) and a porous three-dimensional graphene foam (3DGF), were investigated through experiments for their mechanical properties as well as performance in biological applications.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

[关键词] T Technology;TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery