Manipulating cell migration by adjusting extracellular matrix micropattern

Cell movement is essential for all living things and is a crucial component of organism development, inflammation, and wound healing. It is dependent on a myriad of factors both intrinsic and extrinsic. Cell movement is governed by its surrounding microenvironments, such as distribution of proteins,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wang, Abraham LiangHao
Other Authors: Huang Changjin
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/158992
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
Description
Summary:Cell movement is essential for all living things and is a crucial component of organism development, inflammation, and wound healing. It is dependent on a myriad of factors both intrinsic and extrinsic. Cell movement is governed by its surrounding microenvironments, such as distribution of proteins, signaling molecules, and mechanical geometry. This research project aimed to explore cell migration through manipulation of the protein micropattern on which cells would be able to build up cell-substrate junction. These protein micropatterns which mimic the wound assay in vitro, allowed for a closer observation into gap size and curvature effects on wound healing. With microcontact printing technique, micropatterned extra cellular matrix protein was coated on the substrate, and the cells were confined within the micropattern area. The cell movement was observed upon different micropatterns, detailed view of the gap closure process was recorded and analysed to study the factors that affect it. The knowledge garnered in this study could provide further insight into the process of wound healing in vivo as well as the mechanisms that drive diverse biological processes with collective cell movement at their core.