The goal of this project was to study the effect of low vimentin levels on the structure, mechanics, and migration/invasiveness of cells. To do this, we performed immunocytochemistry, confocal imaging, atomic force microscopy, and wound healing assays on NIH 3T3 cells that had vimentin knocked down by shRNA to characterize vimentin’s effects. We also worked to develop an invasion assay that better recreates in vivo conditions and could be better observed for any invasive cell types. An assay was developed, which utilized a microfluidic device that utilizes a Matrigel barrier flanked by a cell culture chamber and a chamber containing a chemoattractant of choice. Our system, if refined, would allow direct observation and quantification of cell invasiveness both in the 2D and 3D mode.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Notkin, Michael Benjamin
• Kumar, Vivek
• Pinette, William John
• Heinle, Danielle M.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-050114-115611

Advisor

• Ambady, Sakthikumar
• Wen, Qi

Year

• 2014

Date created

• 2014-05-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright