CISMM

Substrates for Cell Mechanics: Recently, flexible post arrays have been designed to explore the forces involved in cell traction and locomotion. Typically they are free-standing arrays of micron-sized, soft polymer pillars that are flexible enough to be deflected by cellular forces exerted when a cell adheres to a surface or undergoes a conformational change. CISMM is adapting these substrates to a multiwell plate, an developing the ability to actuate the posts in our magnetics systems.
At right, post arrays with cells adhered, distorting the posts are shown (SEM image). (top right) Layout of a subset of the post diameters and spacings available on the mask we have on hand. (lower) Table of all of the diameter/spacing combination on the mask