Actuated Fibre Networks to Study Physical Principles of Multicelluler Organization

Cells continuously sense and respond to passive mechanical and topographical properties of the surrounding matrix as well as active forces transmitted through the same matrix. Cell-generated forces in deformable fibrous matrices enable long-range intercellular communication and drive collective cell behavior. Our aim is to quantitatively describe how matrix architecture and mechanics influence transmission of forces, and elucidate principles of physical organization instantiated by remodeling of a fibrillar substrate. We developed a microrobotic manipulation platform along with an experimentally validated finite element modeling framework to systematically manipulate and monitor stress on engineered fibre networks with tunable properties. Our approach allows application of spatiotemporally defined deformations using magnetically controlled microactuators and mapping of stress using simulations of materials, for which we performed measurements using confocal imaging, atomic force microscopy and MEMS force sensors. Preliminary results show that cells do respond to the signals generated by the synthetic actuators and a two-way communication can be established through the fibres using real-time feedback provided by time-lapse microscopy.