Issue 12, 2013

Microfluidic platforms for mechanobiology

Abstract

Mechanotransduction has been a topic of considerable interest since early studies demonstrated a link between mechanical force and biological response. Until recently, studies of fundamental phenomena were based either on in vivo experiments with limited control or direct access, or on large-scale in vitro studies lacking many of the potentially important physiological factors. With the advent of microfluidics, many of the previous limitations of in vitro testing were eliminated or reduced through greater control or combined functionalities. At the same time, imaging capabilities were tremendously enhanced. In this review, we discuss how microfluidics has transformed the study of mechanotransduction. This is done in the context of the various cell types that exhibit force-induced responses and the new biological insights that have been elucidated. We also discuss new microfluidic studies that could produce even more realistic models of in vivo conditions by combining multiple stimuli or creating a more realistic microenvironment.

Graphical abstract: Microfluidic platforms for mechanobiology

Additions and corrections

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
19 Dec 2012
Accepted
03 Apr 2013
First published
04 Apr 2013
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2013,13, 2252-2267

Microfluidic platforms for mechanobiology

W. J. Polacheck, R. Li, S. G. M. Uzel and R. D. Kamm, Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 2252 DOI: 10.1039/C3LC41393D

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