Quantification of cell-surface interactions using hydrodynamic shear force

Understanding the influence of surface properties on cell adhesion, i am making adhesion strength measurement. The device is a parallel plate flow channel in which the surface of interest is presented by an exchangeable bottom of the device. Self assembled monolayers are studied up to now but recent focus is on microstructured surfaces.

Technique: Cells are injected into the channel and the attachment process is monitored via time lapse microscopy. The time half of the cells spreading is determined. After a certain time of hours a defined hydrodynamic flow is applied and the cell detachment monitored via video microcopy. Data are evaluated manually. Another experiment focuses on the proliferation rate on the surfaces, determined over a large area.