4D Printed Cells' Mechanical Stress Loading Platform For Biomedical Research

Description

Human cells are constantly exposed to mechanical stress (e.g. shear forces, compression forces, and tensile forces). The ability of cells to sense and respond to these external stress signals is critical for maintaining normal biological processes (embryo development, tissue growth and homeostasis). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and endothelial cells under mechanical stress stimulation. Bone tissue continuously remodel and shape its structure to adapt to the changes of the external mechanical environments. Based on the above facts, "mechanical stress therapy" has increasingly demonstrated significant therapeutic effects and shown significance in clinical practice. Mechanical stress is so important for regulating cell behavior and clinical treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to build a cells' stress loading platform with multi-stimulation modes, and to study cells’ mechanotransduction mechanisms and pathways at the subcellular level. Here we propose a 4D printed elastic stretchable cells’ mechanical stress loading unit, and build a controllable mechanical stress loading platform. This project will be possible to build a new type of biomechanical research platform with controllable mechanical stress multi-stimulation modes, by combining advanced 4D printing technology, a controllable mechanical stress loading unit and cell molecular biology. Its research results will help to study cells’ biomedical performance in different mechanical stimulation modes. Through this project, not only can it greatly promote basic scientific research, but it is also very possible to industrialize the platform and create economic benefits.