Abstract
The study of the mechanical behavior of cells is an active area of academic research and as such, is an increasingly important component of biomedical engineering education. However, in delivering engineering courses, practical experience with experimental cell mechanics is often challenging to provide for untrained undergraduate students, as the lab work involved is expensive, delicate and usually requires substantial experimental skill. This article reports the development of a novel lab experience for senior undergraduate students, for which a microfabricated system was designed and constructed to conduct micropipette aspiration of single cells. Application of the microfabricated system to measure the elastic modulus of primary heart valve fibroblasts produced results comparable to those made with a conventional micropipette aspiration system. The relative simplicity and affordability of the system made it accessible to undergraduate students in a laboratory course, who judged the lab as a strongly positive learning experience.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.