Abstract

Details of the design and implementation of an open-source platform for studying the adhesion of cells attached to solid substrata are provided. The hardware is based on a laser-cut flow channel connected to a programmable syringe pump. The software automates all aspects of the flow rate profile, data acquisition and image analysis. An example of the pelagic diatom Thalassiosira rotula adhered to poly(dimethyl siloxane) surfaces is provided. The procedure described enables the shear rate to be converted to drag force for arbitrary-shaped objects, of utility to the study of many cell species, especially ones that are obviously non-spherical. It was determined that 90% of cells are removed with the application of drag forces < $3\times {10}^{-12}$ N, and that this value is relatively independent of the incubation time on the surface. This result is important to understand how marine species interact with polymer surfaces that are used in electrical insulator applications.

摘要

提供了用于研究附着在固体基质上的细胞粘附的开源平台的设计和实施细节。硬件基于连接到可编程注射泵的激光切割流道。该软件可自动执行流速分布、数据采集和图像分析的所有方面。提供了一个附着在聚（二甲基硅氧烷）表面的远洋硅藻Thalassiosira rotula的例子。所描述的程序能够将剪切速率转换为任意形状物体的阻力，可用于研究许多细胞种类，尤其是明显非球形的细胞种类。已经确定，在施加阻力时，90% 的细胞被去除 <$3\times {10}^{-12}$N，并且该值与表面的孵育时间相对无关。这一结果对于了解海洋物种如何与用于电绝缘体应用的聚合物表面相互作用非常重要。