Department of Biomedical Engineering

University of Minnesota


 
MICROSYSTEMS

The ability to control cell behavior by precisely controlling the local mechanical and chemical environment allows us to better understand cell behavior and develop new cell-based technologies for sensing and tissue engineering applications. We have developed a number of methods for patterning cell culture surfaces that are simpler than existing methods, and that allow patterning of curved and irregular surfaces. A key to some of these methods is to use material direct writing. We have also developed methods that enable direct writing of living cells as well. This obviates the requirement for a pre-existing chemical pattern in order to achieve cell patterning, enables three-dimensional patterning, and allows patterning of cells onto biological gels.

Our current studies are aimed at the application of microsystems to investigate the mechanisms of cell growth and division.

Recent Articles

1. Nahmias, Y.K., Schwartz, R., Verfaillie, C.M., and Odde, D.J. (2005). Laser-guided direct writing for three-dimensional tissue engineering. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 92, 129-136.
2. Nahmias, Y.K., Arneja, A., Tower, T., Renn, M.J., and Odde, D.J. (2005). Cell patterning on biological gels via cell spraying through a mask. Tissue Engineering 11, 701-708.
3. Nahmias, Y.K., Schwartz, R., Hu, W.-S., Verfaillie, C.M., and Odde, D.J. (2005). Establishment of liver-like tissue in vitro via endothelium-mediated hepatocyte recruitment. Tissue Engineering in press.
4. DeSilva, M.N., Paulsen, J., Renn, M.J., and Odde, D.J. (2005). Two-step cell patterning on planar and complex curved surfaces by precision spraying of polymers. Biotechnology and Bioengineering in press.
5. Nahmias, Y.K., Gao, B.Z., and Odde, D.J. (2004). Dimensionless parameters for the design of optical traps and laser guidance systems. Applied Optics 43, 3999-4006.
6. Fass, J.N., and Odde, D.J. (2003). Tensile Force-Dependent Neurite Elicitation via Anti-β1 Integrin Antibody-Coated Magnetic Beads. Biophysical Journal 85, 623-636.
7. Baldi, A., Fass, J.N., DeSilva, M.N., Odde, D.J., and Ziaie, B. (2003). A micro-tool for mechanical manipulation of in vitro cell arrays. Biomedical Microdevices 5, 291-295.
8. Nahmias, Y.K., and Odde, D.J. (2002). Analysis of radiation forces in laser trapping and laser-guided direct writing applications. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics 38, 131-141.
9. Gao, B.Z., Fass, J.N., Renn, M.J., and Odde, D.J. (2002). Nano- and microscale manipulation of biological particles by laser-guided direct writing. Proceedings of the SPIE 4608, 245-250.
10. Odde, D.J., and Renn, M.J. (2000). Laser-guided direct writing of living cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 67, 312-318.
11. Odde, D.J., and Renn, M.J. (1999). Laser-guided direct writing for applications in biotechnology. Trends in Biotechnology 17, 385-389.

Fibroblast cells grown on a curved surface patterned by direct writing of teflon (PTFE) onto glass.

Two lines of endothelial cells (red) , the cells that line blood vessels, were directly written via laser-guided direct writing onto matrigel to form capillary-like structures. Hepatocytes (green), the functional cells of the liver, were then plated onto the gel and they subsequently migrated in a directed manner toward the endothelial cells.

 
 

  
           

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