Combining QD-FRET and Microfluidics to Monitor DNA Nanocomplex Self-Assembly in Real-Time

JoVE 1432 8/26/2009

Yi-Ping Ho^1,2, Hunter H. Chen^2,3, Kam W. Leong², Tza-Huei Wang^1,3

¹Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, ²Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, ³Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

We present a novel and powerful integration of nanophotonics (QD-FRET) and microfluidics to investigate the formation of polyelectrolyte polyplexes, which is expected to provide better control and synthesis of uniform and customizable polyplexes for future nucleic acid-based therapeutics.

Directed Cellular Self-Assembly to Fabricate Cell-Derived Tissue Rings for Biomechanical Analysis and Tissue Engineering

JoVE 3366 11/25/2011

Tracy A. Gwyther, Jason Z. Hu, Kristen L. Billiar, Marsha W. Rolle

Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

This article outlines a versatile method to create cell-derived tissue rings by cellular self-assembly. Smooth muscle cells seeded into ring-shaped agarose wells aggregate and contract to form robust three-dimensional (3D) tissues within 7 days. Millimeter-scale tissue rings are conducive to mechanical testing and serve as building blocks for tissue assembly.

November 2011: This Month in JoVE

JoVE 4025 11/01/2011

Aaron Kolski-Andreaco

Measurement of Aggregate Cohesion by Tissue Surface Tensiometry

JoVE 2739 4/08/2011

Christine M. Butler, Ramsey A. Foty

Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

We describe a method of measuring binding energy, expressible as tissue surface tension, between cells within 3D tissue-like aggregates. Differences in tissue surface tension have been demonstrated to correlate with invasiveness of lung, muscle, and brain tumors, and are fundamental determinants of establishing spatial relationships between different cell types.

Fabrication of Micropatterned Hydrogels for Neural Culture Systems using Dynamic Mask Projection Photolithography

JoVE 2636 2/11/2011

J. Lowry Curley, Scott R. Jennings, Michael J. Moore

Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University

Simple techniques are described for the rapid production of microfabricated neural culture systems using a digital micromirror device for dynamic mask projection lithography on regular cell culture substrates. These culture systems may be more representative of natural biological architecture, and the techniques described could be adapted for numerous applications.

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets

JoVE 3373 11/02/2011

Helen Tran, Sarah L. Gael, Michael D. Connolly, Ronald N. Zuckermann

Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

A simple and general manual peptoid synthesis method involving basic equipment and commercially available reagents is outlined, enabling peptoids to be easily synthesized in most laboratories. The synthesis, purification and characterization of an amphiphilic peptoid 36mer is described, as well as its self-assembly into highly-ordered nanosheets.

Formulation of Diblock Polymeric Nanoparticles through Nanoprecipitation Technique

JoVE 3398 9/20/2011

Shrirang Karve^1,2, Michael E. Werner^1,2, Natalie D. Cummings^1,2, Rohit Sukumar^1,2, Edina C. Wang^1,2, Ying-Ao Zhang^1,2, Andrew Z. Wang^1,2

¹Laboratory of Nano- and Translational Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, ²Carolina Center for Nanotechnology Excellence, University of North Carolina

This article describes a nanoprecipitation method to synthesize polymer-based nanoparticles using diblock co-polymers. We will discuss the synthesis of diblock co-polymers, the nanoprecipitation technique, and potential applications.

Cultivation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells in a 3-dimensional Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel

JoVE 3830 1/11/2012

Andrea Liedmann, Arndt Rolfs, Moritz J. Frech

Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neuroregeneration, University of Rostock

Here we describe the use of a self-assembling 3-dimensional scaffold to culture human neural progenitor cells. We present a protocol to release the cells from the scaffolds to be analysed subsequently e.g. by flow cytometry. This protocol might be adapted to other cell types to perform detailed mechanistically studies.

Plasma Lithography Surface Patterning for Creation of Cell Networks

JoVE 3115 6/14/2011

Michael Junkin¹, Siu Ling Leung¹, Yongliang Yang¹, Yi Lu¹, Justin Volmering¹, Pak Kin Wong^1,2

¹Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona , ²Biomedical Engineering IDP and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona

A versatile plasma lithography technique has been developed to generate stable surface patterns for guiding cellular attachment. This technique can be applied to create cell networks including those that mimic natural tissues and has been used for studying several, distinct cell types.

Antifouling Self-assembled Monolayers on Microelectrodes for Patterning Biomolecules

JoVE 1390 8/25/2009

John Noel¹, Winfried Teizer¹, Wonmuk Hwang²

¹Department of Physics, Texas A&M University (TAMU), ²Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University (TAMU)

We present a procedure for forming a poly(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayer (PEG-SAM) on a silicon substrate with gold microelectrodes. The PEG-SAM is formed in a single step and prevents biofouling on silicon and gold surfaces. Electrophoresis is then used for patterning biomolecules down to the nanoscale.