Cell Adhesion Studies Using the Rheoscope

The Rheoscope is a cone plate viscometer used in conjunction with an inverted microscope.  It is used to shear cells in a controlled manner that are either attached to the bottom plate or suspended in a medium.  The advantages of this system are that the shear rate can be precisely controlled and that the cellular response to that shear can be seen through the microscope or on video.  The rheoscope is shown at right.

Colon Cancer cell adhesion assays are currently being conducted using the rheoscope.  Focal Adhesion Kinase is a kinase that has proven to play an important role in colon cancer cell differentiation and metastasis.  These studies are being used to determine if Focal Adhesion Kinase affects cell detachment.

Below are some photographs showing an area of attached cells before and after being sheared by the rheoscope.  The first set shows cells that contain the FAK and the second set shows cells without FAK.

Figure 1. FAK containing cells

Figure 2. Cells not containing FAK

Figure 3. Video of a cell detaching from shear experienced in the rheoscope.

(Click on image below to view video)
For more information:

Delaney, Melissa. The effect of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on FEK 293 cell line (FEK 293) cell detachment.  Thesis. 2003.

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