Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
The influence of microfabricated surface topography and dimensionality on cell adhesion and cellular traction in cancer and stem cells.
Cell generated traction forces and the sensing of the mechanical environment of a cell is vital to the fate of cell lines such as stem cells or cancer metastasis. In this project, the critical factors on surface topography and dimensionality should be found and investigated.
The fate of the stem and cancer cells, beside the biochemical cues, highly depends on the mechanical signals received from its environment. Ever since Harris et al. detected cellular traction on qualitative wrinkling assays, many variants to visualize and measure cell generated traction stressen in two- and three dimensions have been developed. Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) on flat elastic silicone or hydrogel substrates in 2D have been established as a gold stadard in the field. However, for applications such as tissue engineering, a more physiological environemnt using 3D substrates such as hydrogels and matrix-derived gels is indispensable to study cell behaviour. Even though representative methods in 3D have been developed, little research in directly comparing the influence of the dimensionality on the cellular behaviour has been done.
In our Lab we study the mechanical cues that drive the differentiation of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various cell types such as osteoblasts, chrondrocytes, myocytes and adipocytes. In a similar fashion, we study the mechanical behaviour of highly mestastatic cells compared to their parent cell-line of Osteosarcome (bone canceer). In this project, the differences of mechanical behavior, in particular cellular traction and cell morphology, of cells cultured on 2D compared to cells in 3D should be studied. In order to achieve this goal, a broad range of methods and biomaterials developed in our group will be used.
**Work Packages:**
- Literature review, particularly focusing on the influence of dimensionality on cellular behaviour (10%)
- Protocol development and experimental work (50%)
- Analyzing Data and report wrtiting (Thesis) (40%)
**Prerequisites**
- The ideal candidate should have a basic knowledge in cell culture methods and a strong interest in lab work
- Some imaging experience, particularly in fluorescence (confocal, widefield) is very helpful
- Experience and knowledge in biomaterial sysnthesis, characterization and handling is recommended
The fate of the stem and cancer cells, beside the biochemical cues, highly depends on the mechanical signals received from its environment. Ever since Harris et al. detected cellular traction on qualitative wrinkling assays, many variants to visualize and measure cell generated traction stressen in two- and three dimensions have been developed. Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) on flat elastic silicone or hydrogel substrates in 2D have been established as a gold stadard in the field. However, for applications such as tissue engineering, a more physiological environemnt using 3D substrates such as hydrogels and matrix-derived gels is indispensable to study cell behaviour. Even though representative methods in 3D have been developed, little research in directly comparing the influence of the dimensionality on the cellular behaviour has been done.
In our Lab we study the mechanical cues that drive the differentiation of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various cell types such as osteoblasts, chrondrocytes, myocytes and adipocytes. In a similar fashion, we study the mechanical behaviour of highly mestastatic cells compared to their parent cell-line of Osteosarcome (bone canceer). In this project, the differences of mechanical behavior, in particular cellular traction and cell morphology, of cells cultured on 2D compared to cells in 3D should be studied. In order to achieve this goal, a broad range of methods and biomaterials developed in our group will be used.
**Work Packages:** - Literature review, particularly focusing on the influence of dimensionality on cellular behaviour (10%) - Protocol development and experimental work (50%) - Analyzing Data and report wrtiting (Thesis) (40%)
**Prerequisites** - The ideal candidate should have a basic knowledge in cell culture methods and a strong interest in lab work - Some imaging experience, particularly in fluorescence (confocal, widefield) is very helpful - Experience and knowledge in biomaterial sysnthesis, characterization and handling is recommended
**What Can You Learn**
- Work with different biomaterials such as PDMS, PAA, PEG etc.
- Cell culture techniques in two- and three dimensions
- Imaging methods (confocal, widefield) and data analysis methods
- Profound knowledge of mechanical cell-matrix adhesion and interaction.
**What Can You Learn** - Work with different biomaterials such as PDMS, PAA, PEG etc. - Cell culture techniques in two- and three dimensions - Imaging methods (confocal, widefield) and data analysis methods - Profound knowledge of mechanical cell-matrix adhesion and interaction.
Claude Holenstein, PhD Student (claude.holenstein@hest.ethz.ch), Telephone +41 44 510 73 40.
Our laboratory is based in Balgrist Campus, Lengghalde 5, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland
http://www.orthobiomech.ethz.ch/
Claude Holenstein, PhD Student (claude.holenstein@hest.ethz.ch), Telephone +41 44 510 73 40. Our laboratory is based in Balgrist Campus, Lengghalde 5, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland
