Estimating Fluid Local Velocity within a Novel 3D Collagen Matrix Perfusion System

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Issue Date
2015-10-01Author
Villanueva, Anna
Publisher
University of Kansas
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
Published Version
http://ugresearch.ku.edu/student/share/jur#Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Traditional cell culture, performed on flat surfaces under static conditions, does not accurately represent
physiologic conditions. As an alternative, groups have applied interstitial fluid flow (0.1- 2.0 μm/s) through
a 3D cell-embedded extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells sense the flow via mechanotransduction, a process
by which cells sense mechanical forces and resultantly respond with biochemical signaling. Previous work
demonstrates enhanced cell morphogenesis under interstitial flow conditions. However, fluid flow is poorly
described within these systems, stressing the need for a well-characterized 3D interstitial flow system.
Understanding fluid mechanics within a perfusion system will help elucidate cellular response to flowinduced
mechanical forces.
The objective of this study was to quantify the fluid flow velocity through a controlled ECM. The changes
in the collagen concentration are directly related to the fibril density of the collagen (stiffness).
A fluorescent Rhodamine solution was pumped at a constant flow rate through a collagen matrixcontaining
chamber. The resulting flow front was visualized at the center of the chamber using a fluorescent
microscope. A Matlab program was developed to track the light intensity between time points to provide
measures of flow velocity.
Description
This is the published version, made available with the permission of the publisher. This article was published in the Fall 2015 issue of the Journal of Undergraduate Research
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