A Novel Microfluidic Platform for Biomechano-Stimulations on a Chip.

Mechanical stress has been proven to be an important factor interfering with many biological functions through mechano-sensitive elements within the cells. Despite the current interest in mechano-transduction, the development of suitable experimental tools is still characterized by the strife to design a compact device that allows high-magnification real-time imaging of the stretched cells, thus enabling to follow the dynamics of cellular response to mechanical stimulations. Here we present a microfluidic multi-layered chip that allows mechanical deformation of adherent cells maintaining a fixed focal plane, while allowing independent control of the soluble microenvironment.