Cell Adhesion Study Using Simulated Microgravity

Over the past 10 years, studies in the area of culturing functional tissue have been addressing what effects simulated microgravity have on tissue development.  When cells are cultured under conditions of minimal gravity, these cells are able to orient and interact with one another as observed in vivo.  The proposed study addresses the effect simulated microgravity has on endothelial cell adhesive strength. Specifically, cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesive strength will be studied.  Histological and morphological analysis of seeded endothelial cells cultured in simulated microgravity will be performed.  Protein analysis of adhesion proteins, specifically fibronectin (cell-substrate) and E-cadherin (cell-cell) will be performed, also.  Two control culturing systems will be utilized.  Conventional tissue culture technique will be used to mimic a no shear with gravity environment.  A perfusion system will be used to mimic a low shear with gravity environment.  Simulated microgravity culture technique will be used to mimic a low shear, low gravity environment.