Surface micropatterning for the formation of an in vitro functional endothelial model for cell-based biosensors.

Label-free biosensing, such as with surface plasmon resonance (SPR), is a highly efficient method for monitoring the responses of living cells exposed to pharmacological agents and biochemical stimuli in vitro. Conventional cell culture protocols used in cell-based biosensing generally provide little direct control over cell morphologies and phenotypes. Surface micropatterning techniques have been exploited for the controlled immobilization and establishment of well-defined cell morphologies and phenotypes.

Cell geometry determines symmetric and asymmetric division plane selection in Arabidopsis early embryos.

Plant tissue architecture and organ morphogenesis rely on the proper orientation of cell divisions. Previous attempts to predict division planes from cell geometry in plants mostly focused on 2D symmetric divisions. Using the stereotyped division patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana early embryogenesis, we investigated geometrical principles underlying plane selection in symmetric and in asymmetric divisions within complex 3D cell shapes.