Research Highlights at Integrative Biology
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With apologies in advance for the massive number of puns we are about to inflict on the research world, Chris begins a new role as Highlights Editor for the RSC journal Integrative Biology! Check out the first of these bi-monthly reports of recent discoveries from labs that develop unique technological approaches to studying biological systems. This months’ highlight reports on integrating advanced imaging capabilities into microfluidic systems, to study biology without any pesky diffraction limitations in imaging resolution.
High-throughput screening… now in 3D!
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We know that 3D cultures can be more realistic than growing cells on hard, flat 2D surfaces. However, conducting high-throughput screens in 3D is extremely challenging from a technical, logistical and cost perspective. To address these issues, Brendan and Chris developed a micro-scale 3D culture assay that can be integrated directly into existing high-throughput screening infrastructure, is only slightly more expensive than conventional 2D assays, and eliminates the transport limitations typically associated with 3D systems. A preliminary screen of breast cancer cell chemo-responsiveness showed dramatic differences in chemotherapeutic activity between 2D and 3D cultures: check out the paper here and on our Publications page.
Hydrogel environments drive migration via gradient-generating mechanisms
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Gradients of soluble factors are known to drive key cellular processes such as migration. Establishing a soluble gradient can be done with microfluidics, but is a finicky process – accidental bumps can destroy a carefully-formed gradient. If this is challenging to do under controlled conditions, how do gradients form in the chaos of the human body? Using common microfabrication tools, Tai developed an ultra-simple 3D migration assay to probe this question in naturally-occuring hydrogel matrices. We then experimentally demonstrated that migration of cancer cells may be driven by gradients that self-assemble as a result of vastly increased binding interactions in ‘sticky’ 3D hydrogels. So not only do 3D environments influence cell function directly, they also shape the signals provided to the cells themselves, adding a new level of complexity to 3D studies of biological systems. For more information, see the full paper here, or on our Publications page.
