72 / 2019-08-29 10:25:33

Biohybrid Actuators Based on Cultured Cardiomyocytes-Powered Micro Grooved Thin Films

biohybrid actuator,cultured cardiomyocytes,micro groove

全体主题 > Understanding and manipulation of biological systems

Introduction
Biohybrid actuators, which combine muscle tissue with electromechanical components [1], recently gained interests of many researchers. As natural actuator, muscle tissue has incomparable advantages, such as high energy conversion efficiency, flexible movement and self-repairability. Biohybrid actuators can convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, hence they can play an important role in drug delivery, artificial limbs, bionic robots and other fields.
At present, the control accuracy of biohybrid actuators is low, and its motion is limited to one/two-dimensional motion. Improving motion and control performance is the development direction of biological hybrid drivers and the prerequisite for their function.
In this study, we designed and fabricated PDMS-based construction of biohybrid actuators, and verified that Matrigel-coated PDMS thin films are biocompatible.
Materials and methods
A. Cell preparation
Mouse cardiac myocytes suspension was prepared at a cell density of 2×106 mL−1 and 100 µL cell suspension was seeded onto each sample.
B. Manufacture
A mask with desired pattern was manufactured. And then we transfer the pattern to silicon wafers by lithography and etching. Then PDMS thin films with parallel grooves were obtained by spin-coating and we cut it to get desired outline. After demoulding, we sterilize PDMS thin films with ultraviolet light. Then we improve PDMS hydrophilicity by plasma cleaning and improve biocompatibility by coating matrigel. Cells were seeded onto the samples.

Fig. 1 Manufacture process.
C. Electrical stimulation experiments
We will conduct electrical stimulation experiments to investigate the motion and control characteristics and test motion and control performance so as to improve the structure.

a) b) c)
Fig. 2 structures of biohybrid actuators.
a) Biohybrid actuator with 1D motion. b) Biohybrid actuator with 2D motion. c) Biohybrid actuator with 1D motion.
Results
The micro grooved PDMS thin films are as follows.

Fig. 3 micro grooved PDMS thin films.
The viability of Mouse cardiac myocytes (HL1) were tested via Live/Dead kit.

Fig. 4 Cells viability in day1, day3 and day7.
Conclusions
Micro grooved thin films have been fabricated and we have verified that it’s biocompatible. Then we will conduct electrical stimulation experiments so as to investigate the motion and control characteristics of muscle thin film and realize the controllable motion of actuators.
References
[1] Feinberg AW. Biological Soft Robotics. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2015;17(1):243-265.