The Effects of Mechanical Load on Cardiomyocytes
Abstract
Research in bioengineering has provided promising returns in the field of cardiac cell biology and the continued understanding of diseases such as cardiomyopathies and high blood pressure. Our research aims to study the effects of mechanical load on the organization of myocytes and the effect of the mechanical load in conjunction with electrical stimulation on the formation of the cell’s contraction-excitation complex. This system mimics the cardiac muscles in the heart by exerting an in vivo-like cyclic stretch and the results will offer a new understanding of the pathological mechanisms of mechanical overloading to the scientific and medical community, allowing new procedures and treatments that will help patient health. The cells were placed in elastic PDMS chambers that promote in vivo-like cell alignment. A cell stretcher was created to hold four such chambers. A carbon bar was placed within the stretcher to provide electrical triggering to one or two selected cell chambers. This was to study the effects of mechanical load on the chambers and the effect of both mechanical stretch and electrical stimulation upon the cells. The one side of the stretcher was attached to a gear system powered by a step motor. The motor was operated through an Arduino Nano processor. The processor was programmed with three different types of stretch, while the electrical stimulation was held constant. The mechanical load provided to the chambers was varied between constant, cyclic, and piecewise.
The Effects of Mechanical Load on Cardiomyocytes
Founders Hall 114 A
Research in bioengineering has provided promising returns in the field of cardiac cell biology and the continued understanding of diseases such as cardiomyopathies and high blood pressure. Our research aims to study the effects of mechanical load on the organization of myocytes and the effect of the mechanical load in conjunction with electrical stimulation on the formation of the cell’s contraction-excitation complex. This system mimics the cardiac muscles in the heart by exerting an in vivo-like cyclic stretch and the results will offer a new understanding of the pathological mechanisms of mechanical overloading to the scientific and medical community, allowing new procedures and treatments that will help patient health. The cells were placed in elastic PDMS chambers that promote in vivo-like cell alignment. A cell stretcher was created to hold four such chambers. A carbon bar was placed within the stretcher to provide electrical triggering to one or two selected cell chambers. This was to study the effects of mechanical load on the chambers and the effect of both mechanical stretch and electrical stimulation upon the cells. The one side of the stretcher was attached to a gear system powered by a step motor. The motor was operated through an Arduino Nano processor. The processor was programmed with three different types of stretch, while the electrical stimulation was held constant. The mechanical load provided to the chambers was varied between constant, cyclic, and piecewise.
