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Development of a 3D finite element model of a cell to determine cell stiffness in tensile stress experiment.
In our group we experimentally analyze the resistance of cells to substrate deformations. In the present project we plan to generate a finite element model of the cell response to biaxial stretching and use it to estimate cell stiffness from the experimental outcomes.
In our experiments, we examine the response of the cells to biaxial substrate deformations. With that aim we culture cells on flexible PDMS-based substrates coated with fluorescent tags that are used to track strain variations and subsequently used to estimate cell stiffness. In our current used computational approach the cell is modelled as a nearly incompressible neo-Hookean hyperelastic material defined by the elastic modulus of the cell and appears bound with its entire footprint. To overcome the simplifications and limitations of this model we started to develop a new one that takes into account a number of cellular structures, such as the cell nucleus, and the adhesive spots named focal adhesions. Although, the new approach should further consider the anisotropic and viscoelastic material properties, cell polarity and cytoskeleton. The parameter field of the new model should be tuned to fit the experimental outcome and make the model suitable for the estimation of cell stiffness.
In our experiments, we examine the response of the cells to biaxial substrate deformations. With that aim we culture cells on flexible PDMS-based substrates coated with fluorescent tags that are used to track strain variations and subsequently used to estimate cell stiffness. In our current used computational approach the cell is modelled as a nearly incompressible neo-Hookean hyperelastic material defined by the elastic modulus of the cell and appears bound with its entire footprint. To overcome the simplifications and limitations of this model we started to develop a new one that takes into account a number of cellular structures, such as the cell nucleus, and the adhesive spots named focal adhesions. Although, the new approach should further consider the anisotropic and viscoelastic material properties, cell polarity and cytoskeleton. The parameter field of the new model should be tuned to fit the experimental outcome and make the model suitable for the estimation of cell stiffness.
1. Gather from the literature the state of the art of 3D models used to study cell rheology in general, and CSK structure and properties, in particular.
2. Improvement of a 3D Finite Element cell model with anisotropic and viscoelastic material properties
3. Incorporation of cell structure with well defined connection point and predefined stress (from the experimental data) on the surface into the model to get better estimation.
4. Performing parameter sweeping to determine the best parameter field for the model.
1. Gather from the literature the state of the art of 3D models used to study cell rheology in general, and CSK structure and properties, in particular. 2. Improvement of a 3D Finite Element cell model with anisotropic and viscoelastic material properties 3. Incorporation of cell structure with well defined connection point and predefined stress (from the experimental data) on the surface into the model to get better estimation. 4. Performing parameter sweeping to determine the best parameter field for the model.
Áron Horváth PhD student
E-mail: aron.horvath@hest.ethz.ch
Telephone: (+41) 44 386 16 72
Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Professorship Jess Snedeker