Measurement of cell migration on surface-bound fibronectin gradients

A novel technique for the quantitative observation of cell migration along linear gradient substrates functionalized with adhesive proteins is presented. Gradients of the cell adhesion molecule fibronectin are generated by the cross diffusion of functionalizable alkanethiols on gold and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance. Two distinct migration assays are described that characterize the movement of either sparsely populated noncontacting cells or a confluent monolayer of cells into free space. The drift speed of bovine aortic endothelial cells is measured and shown to increase along a fibronectin gradient when compared to a uniform control substrate using both assays. The results of these experiments establish reproducible conditions for studies of cell migration on gradients of surface-bound ligands.     

Microstructure determination of poly-(1,3-pentadiene) by a combination of infrared, 60-MHz NMR, 300-MHz NMR,and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy

A quantitative procedure has been developed for characterizing the complete microstructure of polymers of 1,3-pentadiene, including the tacticity of any crystalline component. This can be accomplished by a combination of infrared spectroscopy, X-ray crystallinity, and 300-MHz NMR spectroscopy. A series of high structural purity polymers were synthesized with a series of previously unreported mixed microstructures. These samples were characterized by using the three techniques mentioned, including the previously unreported 300-MHz NMR data. With those results a 60-MHz NMR/IR method of spectroscopy was developed to determine the composition of poly(1,3-pentadiene)s in terms of percent cis-1,2-, cis-1,4-, trans-1,4-, and 3,4-pentadiene units.     

Hydrodynamic microfabrication via"on the fly" photopolymerization of microscale fibers and tubes

A microfluidic apparatus capable of creating continuous microscale cylindrical polymeric structures has been developed. This system is able to produce microstructures (e.g. fibers, tubes) by employing 3D multiple stream laminar flow and "on the fly"in-situ photopolymerization. The details of the fabrication process and the characterization of the produced microfibers are described. The apparatus is constructed by merging pulled glass pipettes with PDMS molding technology and used to manufacture the fibers and tubes. By controlling the sample and sheath volume flow rates, the dimensions of the microstructures produced can be altered without re-tooling. The fiber properties including elasticity, stimuli responsiveness, and biosensing are characterized. Responsive woven fabric and biosensing fibers are demonstrated. The fabrication process is simple, cost effective and flexible in materials, geometries, and scales.