Cells respond to mechanical stimuli, such as stiffness and stretch, in their environment as shown by changes in phenotype, proliferation, and alignment. We have developed the first method to simultaneously apply stiffness and stretch to a cellular environment using the Flexercell stretching device and the stiffness-tuneable hydrogel, polyacrylamide. Functionality and cell viability were verified and measurements of mechanical stimuli were validated. This method will be applied in future research to study heart valve cell mechanobiology in normal and diseased states.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Cleveland, Cathryn J.
• Sierad, Leslie Neil
• Drnek, Michael B

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042607-140604

Advisor

• Billiar, Kristen

Year

• 2007

Date created

• 2007-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright