Article abstract
Nature Physics 5, 606 - 612 (2009)
Published online: 14 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1306
Subject Categories: Biological physics | Fluid dynamics
Directing cell motions on micropatterned ratchets
Goher Mahmud1, Christopher J. Campbell1, Kyle J. M. Bishop1, Yulia A. Komarova1, Oleg Chaga1, Siowling Soh1, Sabil Huda1, Kristiana Kandere-Grzybowska1 & Bartosz A. Grzybowski1
Abstract
Cell motility is a process deriving from the synchronized dynamics of the cytoskeleton. In several important physiological processes—notably, cancer metastasis—the randomly moving cells can acquire a directional motility phenotype and bias their motions in response to environmental cues. Despite intense research, however, the current understanding of directional cell migration is incomplete and there is a growing need to develop systems that would enable the study and control of this process. This article demonstrates that random motions of motile cells can be rectified by asymmetric ('ratchet') microgeometries. Interactions between the cells and the imposed geometrical cues guide cell polarization and give rise to directional motility. Depending on the ratchet design, cells of different types can move either in the same or in opposite directions on the same imposed pattern. In the latter case, it is possible to partially sort mixed cell populations into different collecting reservoirs.
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Illinois 60208, USA
Correspondence to: Kristiana Kandere-Grzybowska1 e-mail: grzybor@northwestern.edu
Correspondence to: Bartosz A. Grzybowski1 e-mail: kanderek@northwestern.edu
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