Microfabricated arrays of elastomeric posts to study cellular mechanics

Olivia du Roure; Caroline Dequidt; Alain Richert; Robert H. Austin; Axel Buguin; Philippe Chavrier; Pascal Silberzan; Benoit Ladoux

doi:10.1117/12.530688

23 December 2003 Microfabricated arrays of elastomeric posts to study cellular mechanics

Olivia du Roure, Caroline Dequidt, Alain Richert, Robert H. Austin, Axel Buguin, Philippe Chavrier, Pascal Silberzan, Benoit Ladoux

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5345, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems II; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.530688
Event: Micromachining and Microfabrication, 2004, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We present an approach to fabricate an array of elastomer posts in order to dynamically measure the traction forces exerted by living cells on a surface with a micrometer lateral resolution. Arrays of closely spaced vertical microposts are made in silicone elastomer [poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)] by molding a Silicon substrate that has been machined by deep Si etching after standard photolithography. The surface of the micropillars was modified to allow cell culture. Deflections of the calibrated posts were dynamically followed by direct obervation with an optical microscope. By using this set-up, we could dynamically draw up a cartography of the local traction forces exerted by the cells.

Citation Download Citation

Olivia du Roure, Caroline Dequidt, Alain Richert, Robert H. Austin, Axel Buguin, Philippe Chavrier, Pascal Silberzan, and Benoit Ladoux "Microfabricated arrays of elastomeric posts to study cellular mechanics", Proc. SPIE 5345, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems II, (23 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.530688

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