Collaborative Research: Electromagnet-integrated optical microscope stage with biocompatible magnetogel for investigating mechanobiology in 2D and 3D

南加州大学与布朗大学(2222207)合作开发了一种可用于研究机械力如何控制或影响生物系统的仪器。通过研修活动，培养本科生、博士生和博士后学者。值得注意的是，通过与位于帕萨迪纳城市学院的新成立的NSF高级技术教育中心合作，我们将接待两名本科生社区学院学生，直接将本科生纳入研究活动。这些学生将由博士生和博士后学者指导，他们将参与这项研究工作。我们将通过NIH 3D Print Exchange和GitHub等免费访问的在线资源库以及学术出版物和会议演示文稿来传播这些发现。为了提高公众的科学素养，我们将利用社交媒体更广泛地传播研究成果和科学生活。众所周知，接触化学物质可以改变生物系统，改变细胞和组织的行为。越来越多的证据表明，物理力量可以发挥类似的作用，在某些情况下，这些物理效应可以与化学刺激相结合，以放大或消除生物反应。与细胞和组织接触的表面的机械性能的变化也调节了生物活动。因此，了解机械力在生物过程中的作用是至关重要的。然而，只有少数工具可以在有限的设置下准确地研究这种复杂的行为。该奖项将支持开发和验证一种更广泛适用的工具，以克服这一贯穿各领域的障碍。这项技术将与标准荧光显微镜兼容，能够同时成像和操纵生物系统的物理属性。为了实现这一目标，将开发两项新的协同技术。为了证明与当前和未来的NSF生物理事会计划的相关性，将在神经科学和细菌研究方面进行两项概念验证测量。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to the University of Southern California in collaboration with Brown University (2222207) to develop an instrument that can be used to investigate how mechanical forces can control or influence biological systems. Through the research activities, we will train undergraduate students, PhD students, and post-doctoral scholars. Notably, by launching a collaboration with the newly started NSF Advanced Technological Education Center located at Pasadena City College, we will host two undergraduate community college students, directly incorporating undergraduates into the research activities. These students will be mentored by the PhD students and post-doctoral scholar who will be involved in this research effort. We will disseminate the findings through freely accessible online repositories such as the NIH 3D Print Exchange and GitHub and through scholarly publications and conference presentations. To increase the scientific literacy of the general public, we will leverage social media for broader dissemination of the research findings and scientific life.It is well-established that chemical exposure can modify a biological system, changing the behavior of cells and tissue. Evidence is emerging that physical forces can play a similar role, and in some cases, these physical effects can combine with chemical stimuli to amplify or to eliminate a biological response. Changes in the mechanical properties of surfaces in contact with cells and tissues also modulate biological activity. Therefore, it is critical to understand the role of mechanical forces in biological processes. However, only a few tools can accurately study this complex behavior in limited settings. This award will support the development and validation of a more broadly applicable instrument that will overcome this cross-cutting hurdle. The technology will be compatible with a standard fluorescence microscope, enabling simultaneous imaging and manipulation of the physical properties of the biological system. To accomplish this goal, two new synergistic technologies will be developed. To demonstrate relevance to current and future NSF BIO Directorate programs, a pair of proof-of-concept measurements in neuroscience and in bacterial research will be performed.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.