New Jersey Institute of Technology

Sydnee Sicherer

Jessica Pridmore

Katherine Coombs

Jonathan Grasman

Cassandra Martin

Devices and methods to measure cells and/or tissue's contractile force are disclosed. Included is a mount with rigid, and non-rigid posts sized to flex. Determined is force exerted by contractile cells and tissues in a multiwell plate. The device is designed to fit inside individual wells with posts directed downwards. Posts are attached to a 3D printed circular mount with tabs for depth within the well. The mount has a window for medium changes while the device is positioned inside the well. The cells are seeded within a hydrogel. As the hydrogel condenses, cells/tissue wrap around the post's outside pulling non-rigid post toward rigid post. Inverted light microscope is used to determine deflection of non-rigid post inside the multiwell plate. Movement of the non-rigid post is measured using an acrylic ruler on an underside of the multiwell plate. Contractile forces of cells/tissue are determined using cantilever mechanics.

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Newark, NJ, United States of America

Sydnee Sicherer