Abstract
Cellular aggregates (spheroids) are widely used in biophysics and tissue engineering as model systems for biological tissues. In this Letter we propose novel methods for molding stem-cell spheroids, deforming them, and measuring their interfacial and elastic properties with a single method based on cell tagging with magnetic nanoparticles and application of a magnetic field gradient. Magnetic molding yields spheroids of unprecedented sizes (up to a few mm in diameter) and preserves tissue integrity. On subjecting these spheroids to magnetic flattening (over ), we observed a size-dependent elastocapillary transition with two modes of deformation: liquid-drop-like behavior for small spheroids, and elastic-sphere-like behavior for larger spheroids, followed by relaxation to a liquidlike drop.
- Received 24 July 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.098105
© 2015 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Magnetic Cells
Published 4 March 2015
Magnetic nanoparticles can be used to prepare and characterize multicellular aggregates that serve as model systems for biological tissues.
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