Mechanical Effect on Gene Transfection Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

AFM and Fluorescence Microscopy of Single Cells with Simultaneous Mechanical Stimulation via Electrically Stretchable Substrates

We have developed a novel experimental set-up that simultaneously, (i) applies static and dynamic deformations to adherent cells in culture, (ii) allows the visualization of cells under fluorescence microscopy, and (iii) allows atomic force microscopy nanoindentation measurements of the mechanical properties of the cells. The cell stretcher device relies on a dielectric elastomer film that can be electro-actuated and acts as the cell culture substrate. The shape and position of the electrodes actuating the film can be controlled by design in order to obtain specific deformations across the cell culture chamber. By using optical markers we characterized the strain fields under different electrode configurations and applied potentials. The combined setup, which includes the cell stretcher device, an atomic force microscope, and an inverted optical microscope, can assess in situ and with sub-micron spatial resolution single cell topography and elasticity, as well as ion fluxes, during the application of static deformations. Proof of performance on fibroblasts shows a reproducible increase in the average cell elastic modulus as a response to applied uniaxial stretch of just 4%. Additionally, high resolution topography and elasticity maps on a single fibroblast can be acquired while the cell is deformed, providing evidence of long-term instrumental stability. This study provides a proof-of-concept of a novel platform that allows in situ and real time investigation of single cell mechano-transduction phenomena with sub-cellular spatial resolution.

Physical and mechanical cues affecting biomaterial-mediated plasmid DNA delivery: insights into non-viral delivery systems

BACKGROUND

Whilst traditional strategies to increase transfection efficiency of non-viral systems aimed at modifying the vector or the polyplexes/lipoplexes, biomaterial-mediated gene delivery has recently sparked increased interest. This review aims at discussing biomaterial properties and unravelling underlying mechanisms of action, for biomaterial-mediated gene delivery. DNA internalisation and cytoplasmic transport are initially discussed. DNA immobilisation, encapsulation and surface-mediated gene delivery (SMD), the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) and topographical cues, biomaterial stiffness and mechanical stimulation are finally outlined.

MAIN TEXT

Endocytic pathways and mechanisms to escape the lysosomal network are highly variable. They depend on cell and DNA complex types but can be diverted using appropriate biomaterials. 3D scaffolds are generally fabricated via DNA immobilisation or encapsulation. Degradation rate and interaction with the vector affect temporal patterns of DNA release and transgene expression. In SMD, DNA is instead coated on 2D surfaces. SMD allows the incorporation of topographical cues, which, by inducing cytoskeletal re-arrangements, modulate DNA endocytosis. Incorporation of ECM mimetics allows cell type-specific transfection, whereas in spite of discordances in terms of optimal loading regimens, it is recognised that mechanical loading facilitates gene transfection. Finally, stiffer 2D substrates enhance DNA internalisation, whereas in 3D scaffolds, the role of stiffness is still dubious.

CONCLUSION

Although it is recognised that biomaterials allow the creation of tailored non-viral gene delivery systems, there still are many outstanding questions. A better characterisation of endocytic pathways would allow the diversion of cell adhesion processes and cytoskeletal dynamics, in order to increase cellular transfection. Further research on optimal biomaterial mechanical properties, cell ligand density and loading regimens is limited by the fact that such parameters influence a plethora of other different processes (e.g. cellular adhesion, spreading, migration, infiltration, and proliferation, DNA diffusion and release) which may in turn modulate gene delivery. Only a better understanding of these processes may allow the creation of novel robust engineered systems, potentially opening up a whole new area of biomaterial-guided gene delivery for non-viral systems.

Information processing based on DNA toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) reaction

SemiSynBio is an emerging topic toward the construction of platforms for next-generation information processing. Recent research has indicated its promising prospect toward information processing including algorithm design and pattern manipulation with the DNA TMSD reaction, which is one of the cores of the SemiSynBio technology route. The DNA TMSD reaction is the process in which an invader strand displaces the incumbent strand from the gate strand through initiation at the exposed toehold domain. Also, the DNA TMSD reaction generally involves three processes: toehold association, branch migration and strand disassociation. Herein, we review the recent progress on information processing with the DNA TMSD reaction. We highlight the diverse developments on information processing with the logic circuit, analog circuit, combinational circuit and information relay with the DNA origami structure. Additionally, we explore the current challenges and various trends toward the design and application of the DNA TMSD reaction in future information processing.

Enhanced Electromechanical Property of Silicone Elastomer Composites Containing TiO2@SiO2 Core-Shell Nano-Architectures

Dielectric elastomer (DE) is one type of promising field-activated electroactive polymer. However, its significant electromechanical actuated properties are always obtained under a giant electric voltage, which greatly restricts the potential applications of DE. In the present work, the well-constructed core-shell TiO2@SiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated by using the classical Stöber method. A series of TiO2@SiO2 nano-architectures-filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites were prepared via solution blending and compression-molding procedures. Benefiting from the additional SiO2 shell, both the interfacial compatibility between fillers and matrix and core-shell interfacial interaction can be improved. The TiO2@SiO2/PDMS nanocomposites exhibit a significantly enhanced in-plane actuated strain of 6.08% under a low electric field of 30 V·μm-1 at 16 vol.% TiO2@SiO2 addition, which is 180% higher than that of neat PDMS. The experimental results reveal that the well-designed core-shell structure can play an important role in both improving the electromechanical actuated property and maintaining a good flexibility of DE composites. This research provides a promising approach for the design of the novel composites with advanced low-field actuated electromechanical property in next generation DE systems.