ANYL 342 |
| We present techniques for designing three dimensional (3D) biopolymer gels of particular biochemistry, order, and mechanical properties for use in 3D cell migration studies. Flow, magnetic field, and shear are discussed as tools employed to achieve aligned biopolymer gels. Microfabrication techniques and their integration with nonlinear optical approaches are discussed as tools to develop biopolymer gels with mechanical properties and biochemistry that vary as a function of position within the gel on the micron scale. Confocal reflectance imaging, together with rheology, is used to characterize the mechanical properties and gelation dynamics of both simple and complex biopolymer gels. Such careful characterization is a necessary step in using these gels for determining how mechanical properties, independent of biochemistry, affect 3D cell migration. Combined coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, confocal reflectance microscopy, and rheology measurements are shown to allow detailed measurement of the forces involved in cell migration in such gels. |
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Biological Applications of Nonlinear Optics
8:30 AM-12:10 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- 104A, Oral
Division of Analytical Chemistry |