Cell stretching method

US5348879A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• The General Hospital Corporation · US
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Alan R. Shapiro · Sharon, US
• Martha Gray · Cambridge, US
• Luis A. Melendez · Norwood, US
• Jonathan L. Schaffer · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 19, 1993
• Grant date: Sep 20, 1994
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M35/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for imparting to a living culture of cells biaxial mechanical forces which approximate the mechanical forces to which cells are subject in vivo. The method utilizes a displacement applicator which may be actuated to contact and stretch a membrane having a living cell culture mounted thereon. Stretching of the membrane imparts biaxial mechanical forces to the cells. These forces may be uniformly applied to the cells, or they may be selectively nonuniformly applied.