Cell Nanomechanics Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Device

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS • The main components, principle, and technology of dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) were reviewed to illustrate that DEA can be an effective carrier for mechanobiology research. • Comparison between DEA-based bioreactors and current commercial devices is provided, as well as the outlook of the DEA bioapplications in the future.

Mechanical Effect on Gene Transfection Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

“…An organic silicone membrane (Wacker ELASTOSIL Film) was used as dielectric elastomer material due to its low viscosity elasticity, rapid response speed, and heat resistance. First, the silicone membrane was prestretched as demonstrated in previous research. − Moreover, a larger prestretch was applied in the x axis (λ x = 2.6, λ y = 1.2) to generate uniaxial movement. Then the prestretched membrane was fixed on a laser cutting poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) frame with high temperature-resistant tape to support the prestretch of the membrane, and the PMMA frame was processed by laser cutting with 25 mm inner diameter and 5 mm height for storing cell culture medium.…”

“…Meanwhile, studying the effects of mechanical stimulation on cell endocytosis is also an important factor to influence gene transfection efficiency. − Previous works focused on the mechanism of the effect of cell membrane tension on endocytosis by means of mechanical stretch and hypo-osmotic treatment, ,− but the detailed effect of different mechanical stimulation on gene transfection was not mentioned such as stretching and compressing stimulations. The main reason is that traditional stimulation methods, such as motor drive and pneumatic device, are generally complex in structure and large in size, making it difficult to combine real-time dynamic observation with microscope perfectly . Thus, reasonable design of cell mechanical stimulation devices is a prerequisite for the study of the effect of mechanical stimulation on gene transfection efficiency.…”

“…The main reason is that traditional stimulation methods, such as motor drive and pneumatic device, are generally complex in structure and large in size, making it difficult to combine real-time dynamic observation with microscope perfectly. 34 Thus, reasonable design of cell mechanical stimulation devices is a prerequisite for the study of the effect of mechanical stimulation on gene transfection efficiency.…”

3D-Printable Cell Crowding Device Enables Imaging of Live Cells in Compression

“…Unfortunately, there are limited experimental tools to enable such studies. Several commercial cell-stretching systems are available (e.g., from Flexcell International, NC, USA; Strex, CA, USA; CellScale, Ontario, Canada) and a number of custom-built devices using extensible silicone [7][8][9][10][11][12], piezoelectric [13], pneumatic [14][15][16][17] and recently dielectric actuation [18] have been reported. However, microscopy studies of crowding-induced live-cell extrusion are particularly demanding: cells must be cultured on stretched membranes for hours to days to reach confluency before crowding is induced and then must be imaged at high spatiotemporal resolution to observe their morphology and dynamics.…”

Touch-Responsive Hydrogel for Biomimetic Flytrap-Like Soft Actuator

“…Taking inspiration from smart biological tissues, artificial soft actuators fabricated by stimuli-responsive soft materials offer fascinating prospects owing to their remarkable advantages in compliance, safety and degree of freedom, benefiting to meet the growing need for soft robots [1][2][3][4]. Bearing great similarities to biological systems, hydrogels with soft and wet feature have attracted tremendous interest in the field of soft actuators [5][6][7].…”