Studying Cell–Surface Interactions In Vitro: A Survey of Experimental Approaches and Techniques - Tissue Engineering: Cell-Surface Interactions for Tissue Culture - page 33

Studying Cell-Surface Interactions
In Vitro: A Survey of Experimental
Approaches and Techniques

Stefanie Michaelis, Rudolf Robelek and Joachim Wegener

Abstract A better understanding of the interactions of animal (or human) cells
with in vitro surfaces is the key to the successful development, improvement and
optimization of biomaterials for biomedical or biotechnological purposes. State-
of-the-art experimental approaches and techniques are a prerequisite for further
and deeper insights into the mechanisms and processes involved in cell-surface
adhesion. This chapter provides a brief but not complete survey of optical,
mechanical, electrochemical and acoustic devices that are currently used to study
the structural and functional properties of the cell-surface junction. Each tech-
nique is introduced with respect to the underlying principles before example data
are discussed. At the end of the chapter all techniques are compared in terms of
their strengths, limitations and technical requirements.

Keywords Cell-surface interactions Cell-surface junction Cell adhesion Cell
migration Cell spreading Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing Micromotion
Surface plasmon resonance Quartz crystal microbalance

Abbreviations

ECIS Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing

ECM Extracellular Matrix

RICM Reflection Interference Contrast Microscopy

SPR Surface Plasmon Resonance

TIRF Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence

TIRAF Total Internal Reflection Aqueous Fluorescence

QCM Quartz Crystal Microbalance

S. Michaelis R. Robelek J. Wegener ( )

Institut für Analytische Chemie, Chemo- und Biosensorik,
Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31,
93053 Regensburg Germany
e-mail: [e-mail]

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