Molecular and cellular analysis of topography-induced mechanotransduction

McNamara, Laura Elizabeth (2010) Molecular and cellular analysis of topography-induced mechanotransduction. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Edited Abstract:

Mechanotransduction is the process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into an adaptive gene- and protein-level response, via signalling cascades or direct physical effects of the cytoskeleton on the nucleus, and appropriate mechanosignalling is crucial for tissue development and function. Most techniques currently used to study cellular mechanoresponses are relatively damaging to the cells. In contrast, topographically structured substrates, such as microgrooves, have great potential for use as non-invasive mechanostimuli.

In this study, quartz microgrooved substrata (2 μm depth x 25 μm pitch) were used as platforms for the confinement and alignment of cells. A multi-layered approach was adopted to begin to integrate the changes induced by the topographical mechanostimulus at the chromosome, small RNA, transcript, protein and structural levels. Together, the results provide insight into multiple facets of topography-induced mechanotransduction, which should contribute to understanding of mechanotransduction and cell-material interactions.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Mechanotransduction, microtopography, biomaterials, cell biology, cell engineering, molecular biology, proteomics, transcriptomics
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General); Q Science > Q Science (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Supervisor's Name: Dalby, Dr. Matthew J., Riehle, Dr. Mathis O. and Burchmore, Dr. Richard
• Date of Award: 2010
• Depositing User: Ms Laura E McNamara
• Unique ID: glathesis:2010-2207
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 04 Nov 2010
• Last Modified: 15 Oct 2014 10:54
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/2207