报告题目：Application of Laser Cell Micropatterning Techniques in Biomedical Research
报告人：Dr. Bruce Zhi Gao, Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University
报告时间：2005年12月1日（星期四），上午10:30
报告地点：西主楼3区420室
主办单位：机械工程系
内容及摘要：
Animals (including human beings) have a hierarchal structure: from organ systems to organs, organs to tissues, and tissues to cells. Multiple cell types, which serve as the fundamental units of life, are involved in the development of these complex structures. The characteristics and interactions of these cell types result in the formation of a specific temporal order and spatial pattern that play a primary role in determining an animal’s physiology and pathology. Since nearly all diseases result from failed cell mechanisms, advancing knowledge on cell function paves the way for a greater comprehension of human pathology. The increase in such knowledge has led to the development of effective therapies at the cellular level.
Our current approach to help achieve greater understanding of cell function is to use a novel laser cell micropatterning technique based on the optical force generated by a weakly focused laser beam. In the beam’s focal region, the optical field generates two force components: a radial trapping force that draws microparticles, such as cells, into the center of the beam, and an axial pushing force that propels the trapped microparticles along the beam axis and deposits them onto a target surface, a process called laser guidance. Specific patterns can be created by moving the target surface relative to the beam axis.
Using this laser cell micropatterning technique, we will investigate cell-cell interactions in an “engineered” cell coculture that has a controlled micro-environment closely mimicking in vivo cell spatial arrangement. Our current research concentrates on 1) the electrical and mechanical coupling of cardiac cells at cellular level 2) the formation of a neuronal circuit on microelectrode arrays and 3) the adult stem cell differentiation under a controlled microenvironment.
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