Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yoonhee Jin, Eun Je Jeon, Sohyeon Jeong, Sungjin Min, Yi Sun Choi, So Hyun Kim, Jung Seung Lee, Jisoo Shin, Ji Hea Yu, Da-Hee Ahn, Yun-Gon Kim, Hee Seok Yang, Taek Jin Kang, Sung-Rae Cho, Nakwon Choi, Seung-Woo Cho
Summary: This study demonstrates a biomimetic approach for generating functional skeletal muscle fascicle-like tissues by recapitulating 3D muscle-like cellular and extracellular organization. The anisotropic 3D alignment of muscle extracellular matrix nanofibrils supports de novo muscle regeneration and induces functional restoration of injured muscles, showing the clinical potential of artificial muscle constructs in regenerative medicine.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bonnie J. Berry, Shawn M. Luttrell, Charles T. Moerk, Jesse Macadangdang, Jessica Perez, Kevin Gray, Hamed Ghazizadeh, Samir Kharoufeh, Brandon Nelsen, Nicholas A. Geisse
Summary: Accurately modeling healthy and disease conditions in vitro is crucial for developing new treatments. A new platform and device using 3D engineered muscle tissues (EMTs) in conjunction with a label-free, highly-parallel, and automation-friendly contractility assay are able to reliably simulate in vitro muscle function. The platform allows for easy and reproducible fabrication of 3D EMTs and simultaneous measurement of contractility in 24 tissues without complex software analysis. This device enables long-term analysis of engineered tissues and facilitates drug discovery workflow.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tingting Fan, Shuo Wang, Zongmin Jiang, Shen Ji, Wenhua Cao, Wenli Liu, Yun Ji, Yujing Li, Ng Shyh-Chang, Qi Gu
Summary: 3D printing is an effective method for recreating skeletal muscle tissue, but obtaining large volumes of highly aligned muscle cells remains a challenge. This study demonstrates a feasible strategy for engineering skeletal muscle tissue using sequential culture processes and investigates the role of physical factors in muscle fiber alignment and maturity.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Johanna Dietrich, Stephan Handschuh, Robert Steidl, Alexandra Boehler, Gerhard Forstenpointner, Monika Egerbacher, Christian Peham, Hanna Schoepper
Summary: The longissimus dorsi muscle plays a crucial role in the stability of the equine spine and proper locomotion. This study investigated the internal architecture of the muscle in different compartments and provided morphometric parameters for future biomechanical modeling. The findings revealed variations in fascicle length, pennation angles, muscle volume, and PCSA along the muscle, laying the foundation for simulating muscle function under different conditions and comparisons with other species.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kohei Kido, Tatsuro Egawa, Shinya Watanabe, Kentaro Kawanaka, Jonas T. Treebak, Tatsuya Hayashi
Summary: This study demonstrated the synergistic enhancement of insulin-stimulated TBC1D4 phosphorylation and glucose uptake by fasting and prior muscle contraction, which is associated with augmented AMPK pathway activation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Review
Biology
Camila Vesga-Castro, Javier Aldazabal, Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi, Jacobo Paredes
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in evaluating the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues, but there are currently no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are commonly used configurations for CF assessment, and future studies are recommended to report detailed information on construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and the tetanus-to-twitch ratio.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nikolaos Zaras, Angeliki-Nikoletta Stasinaki, Polyxeni Spiliopoulou, Thomas Mpampoulis, Marios Hadjicharalambous, Gerasimos Terzis
Summary: The study showed that inter-repetition rest during strength training can effectively increase lower body explosive strength and muscle fascicle length without compromising muscle hypertrophy.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ravi Tharakan, Ceereena Ubaida-Mohien, Christopher Dunn, Mary Kaileh, Rakel Tryggvadottir, Linda Zukley, Chee W. W. Chia, Ranjan Sen, Luigi Ferrucci
Summary: This study aimed to assess the pace of aging by analyzing the changes in DNA methylation state. The research found that typical changes occur in skeletal muscle and blood monocytes during aging, and these changes are linked to specific genes and pathways involved in development and neuronal regulation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the epigenomic changes in human aging.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jorge A. Tavares-Negrete, Sara Cristina Pedroza-Gonzalez, Ada I. Frias-Sanchez, Miriam L. Salas-Ramirez, Maria de los Angeles de Santiago-Miramontes, Claudia Maribel Luna-Aguirre, Mario M. Alvarez, Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
Summary: A simple and cost-effective strategy involving GelMA hydrogels supplemented with minimally processed tissue (MPT) was developed to fabricate densely packed skeletal-muscle-like tissues. Incorporating 0.5-2.0% (w/v) of MPT into GelMA hydrogels enhanced the proliferation of myoblast cells compared to other GelMA hydrogels. The addition of MPT provided biochemical and topological cues, such as growth factors and structurally preserved proteins, and showed suitable rheological properties for extrusion bioprinting.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eugenia Carraro, Lucia Rossi, Edoardo Maghin, Marcella Canton, Martina Piccoli
Summary: This review discusses the importance of generating human skeletal muscle three-dimensional models through tissue engineering approaches, including the study of the most severe myopathies and the comparison of different in vitro models, as well as their effectiveness in simulating disease mechanisms and investigating therapeutic effects.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Enbo Xu, Ruihao Niu, Jihui Lao, Shengliang Zhang, Jie Li, Yiyuan Zhu, Huimin Shi, Qingqing Zhu, Yijian Chen, Yuyan Jiang, Wenjun Wang, Jun Yin, Qihe Chen, Xiao Huang, Jun Chen, Donghong Liu
Summary: Tissue-like fish fillets were successfully developed by assembling large yellow croaker muscle fibers and adipocytes with 3D-printed gel. Inhibiting Tgf-beta and Notch signals promoted myogenic differentiation of piscine satellite cells (PSCs), while a mixture of fish gelatin, sodium alginate, a p53 inhibitor, and a Yap activator supported PSC viability and proliferation. A 3D scaffold was constructed using gelatin-based gel mixed with PSCs, and after proliferation and differentiation, the scaffold was filled with cultured piscine adipocytes. The resulting tissue-like fish fillets consisted of 5.67 x 10(7) muscles and 4.02 x 10(7) adipocytes, measuring 20 x 12 x 4 mm. Biomanufacturing tissue-like cultured fish fillets holds promise for customized meat production.
NPJ SCIENCE OF FOOD
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mu Zeng, Shanying Yan, Peng Yang, Qiaowei Li, Jiju Li, Xinhao Fan, Xiaoqin Liu, Yilong Yao, Wei Wang, Ruipu Chen, Guohao Han, Yalan Yang, Zhonglin Tang
Summary: By conducting a comprehensive analysis of circRNA expression profiles in Chinese local breed Luchuan pigs and Western commercial breed Duroc pigs, we identified a total of 56,254 circRNAs, of which 42.9% were not previously annotated. Furthermore, we found that 33.7% of these circRNAs were differentially expressed between the two breeds, and they might contribute to the phenotypic differentiation. Additionally, we discovered a tissue-specific circRNA, circPSME4, which regulates skeletal muscle development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Zhongzheng Wang, Antea Destro, Sven Petersson, Francesco Cenni, Ruoli Wang
Summary: Muscle architecture parameters, such as fascicle length, pennation angle, and volume, play a crucial role in muscle morphology. This study compared the 3D muscle architecture parameters of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis using 3D freehand ultrasound (3DfUS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) respectively. The findings showed that 3DfUS measurement had high reliability and repeatability, yielding consistent results with MRI measurements. This suggests that 3DfUS can be considered as an alternative to MRI for evaluating muscle morphology.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Selgin D. Cakal, Carmen Radeke, Juan F. Alcala, Ditte G. Ellman, Sarkhan Butdayev, Ditte C. Andersen, Kirstine Calloe, Johan U. Lind
Summary: This study presents a simple and scalable method for generating physiologically relevant models of skeletal muscle using dual-material micro-extrusion. The approach allows for the generation of aligned, extended, and contractile myotubes in soft substrates, without the need for high-resolution patterning.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Pingel, Hans Martin Kjer, Fin Biering-Sorensen, Robert Feidenhans'l, Tim B. Dyrby
Summary: Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) allows for 3D imaging of tissue and enables the investigation of muscle fiber atrophy. The study examined healthy muscle fibers and muscle fibers at different stages of atrophy, revealing new insights into the micro-architecture of atrophied muscles. 3D analysis identified fiber splitting, fiber swelling, and fiber buckling, which could not be observed or quantified using 2D histological analysis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Berna Ozkale, Mahmut Selman Sakar, David J. Mooney
Summary: Active biomaterials offer novel approaches to study mechanotransduction in mammalian cells by probing cellular responses through dynamic modulation of resistance to forces and application of external forces in a controlled manner. These biomaterials have generated scientific knowledge and therapeutic potential in various conditions, including cancer metastasis, fibrosis, and tissue regeneration. Recent advances in active biomaterials have shed light on a repertoire of cellular responses that can be studied, with implications for future impact.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Oriane Poupart, Riccardo Conti, Andreas Schmocker, Lucio Pancaldi, Christophe Moser, Katja M. Nuss, Mahmut S. Sakar, Tomas Dobrocky, Hansjorg Grutzmacher, Pascal J. Mosimann, Dominique P. Pioletti
Summary: Hydrogels are emerging as a promising intracranial aneurysm embolic agent for their ability to be injected in liquid phase and solidify in situ, providing better filling of an aneurysm sac compared to solid implants. Photopolymerizable poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) hydrogels have been demonstrated to be feasible for aneurysm application in vitro, with fine-tuning to match the elastic modulus and compliance of aneurysmal tissue. In a fatigue test under physiological pulsatile flow, these hydrogels showed minimal surface erosion defects and no significant weight loss, indicating their potential for in vivo implant studies.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fazil E. Uslu, Christopher D. Davidson, Erik Mailand, Nikolaos Bouklas, Brendon M. Baker, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: Mechanobiology investigates how forces regulate cell behaviors and the impact of physical properties of fibrous ECM on cells. A robotic manipulation platform allows wireless and programmable deformation of engineered fibrous ECM, providing insights into the effects of forces and deformations on cell behavior and signaling.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Erik Mailand, Ece Ozelci, Jaemin Kim, Matthias Ruegg, Odysseas Chaliotis, Jon Marki, Nikolaos Bouklas, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: Epithelial cells are contiguous sheets of cells that stabilize the shape of internal organs and support their structure by covering their surfaces. Their remarkable mechanics allow them to actively remodel cell-cell junctions and modulate the distribution of local stresses, making them elastic, plastic, and viscous. Research shows that mechanical perturbations can induce solid to fluid transitions in epithelial cells, providing insights into their active mechanical properties for tissue engineering.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Amit Dolev, Murat Kaynak, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: A new model is developed to describe bubbles entrapped inside arbitrary shaped cavities with multiple circular openings. The model captures a more realistic geometry through an optimization problem. Experimental results highlight the importance of the computational model in engineering applications.
Article
Robotics
Murat Kaynak, Amit Dolev, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: This study demonstrates that programmed commands can be contained on 3D nanoprinted polymer systems by introducing selectively excited air bubbles and rationally designed compliant mechanisms. The dynamics of bubble oscillators reveal rich acoustofluidic interactions that can be programmed in space and time.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Hermans, Murat Kaynak, Jonas Braun, Victor Lobato Rios, Chin-Lin Chen, Adam Friedberg, Semih Guenel, Florian Aymanns, Mahmut Selman Sakar, Pavan Ramdya
Summary: Understanding biological networks requires minimally invasive methods to repeatedly record neural circuits in behaving animals. The authors have developed devices for long-term optical recordings in adult Drosophila ventral nerve cord, showing minimal impact on animal behavior and survival, and demonstrating the importance of tracking neural activity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ece Ozelci, Erik Mailand, Matthias Ruegg, Andrew C. Oates, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: This study introduces a user-friendly robotic microsurgery platform for precise mechanical manipulation of soft tissues in zebrafish embryos. The results show that the extension force generated through the posterior notochord can lead to unidirectional notochord extension towards the tailbud, as the presence of presomitic mesoderm tissue prevents anterior sliding. These findings are important for understanding the biomechanical models of axis elongation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Jaemin Kim, Erik Mailand, Mahmut Selman Sakar, Nikolaos Bouklas
Summary: Processes such as embryonic development and wound healing involve complex interactions between cellular contractility, migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics, and remodeling. However, the regulatory principles underlying the coupled cell migration and contractility in dynamically morphing tissues are not well understood. In this study, a mechanosensitive transient nonlinear theory and a finite element implementation were proposed to capture the interplay between cell migration and contractility in 3D ECM. Simulation results from microtissue experimental setups demonstrated the changes in tissue shape and cell concentration for wounded and intact microtissues. This theoretical model and computational framework provide insights into experimental data and facilitate hypothesis-driven research.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Amit Dolev, Lorenzo Noseda, Bora Yalcin, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: This paper discusses an experimental apparatus that demonstrates acoustic levitation and allows for the study of stability and nonlinear dynamics of suspended particles. It also provides a platform for examining the interaction forces between multiple acoustically levitated particles. The mechanical design of the system and the techniques for data acquisition and control are thoroughly explained.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haiyan Jia, Zhangjun Huang, Murat Kaynak, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: A minimally invasive strategy based on in situ self-assembly of photovoltaic microdevices (PVMs) is presented for manufacturing biomimetic retinas with a wide field of view and high resolution. The PVMs transduce photoelectricity upon visible light illumination to effectively activate the retinal ganglion cell layers. The spatial distribution and packing density of the PVMs within the assembled device are modulated through concentration, liquid discharge speed, and coordinated self-assembly steps. The methodology introduces three unique features: minimally invasive implantation, personalized visual field and acuity, and a device geometry adaptable to retina topography.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Berna Ozkale, Junzhe Lou, Ece Ozelci, Alberto Elosegui-Artola, Christina M. Tringides, Angelo S. Mao, Mahmut Selman Sakar, David J. Mooney
Summary: Researchers have developed a new cell culture technology that enables uniform compression on single cells in 3D through optical control. By encapsulating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a nanoactuator-alginate hybrid biomaterial and activating it with light, the researchers were able to compress the cells uniformly. This technology has potential applications in mechanobiology studies.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Lucio Pancaldi, Lorenzo Noseda, Amit Dolev, Adele Fanelli, Diego Ghezzi, Andrew J. Petruska, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: This study introduces a sensor-integrated soft robotic device that navigates sub-millimeter arteries by extracting propulsive power from external magnetic fields. It demonstrates the potential of this technology for minimally invasive diagnosis and therapy.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jaemin Kim, Erik Mailand, Ida Ang, Mahmut Selman Sakar, Nikolaos Bouklas
Summary: This study investigates the mechanical processes of tissue morphogenesis and regeneration, focusing on the interactions between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cell mechanics at the tissue level. By combining high-throughput 3D culture systems and computational models, the research accelerates the understanding of these principles. The results reveal the emergence of surface stresses in fibroblast-populated collagen gels, driving the morphogenesis of fibrous microtissues.
Article
Robotics
Raquel Parreira, Ece Ozelci, Mahmut Selman Sakar
Summary: This research developed a soft robotic compression device that can be remotely powered by laser and apply physiologically relevant mechanical loading, using hybrid nanomaterials and microengineering techniques. The compliant skeleton of the machines was fabricated using a single-step in situ polymerization process and a cantilever beam was incorporated for monitoring mechanical properties. The chosen materials are compatible with living cells, allowing seamless interfacing with biological specimens.
FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI
(2021)