Abstract
This paper describes a micro device which applies cyclic strain to focal adhesions of a cell. In recent years, evidence has been growing that focal adhesions act as mechanosensors of cells which convert mechanical force into biomechanical signaling. However, there are no effective micro devices which can directly apply mechanical stimulation to each focal adhesion. Here we develop a micropillar substrate embedding micron-sized magnetic particles and enabling the micropillars to be deflected by external magnetic field. The top of the micropillars were coated with a fibronectin, a kind of protein which promotes the adhesion of cells. Moreover, we stained this protein to check the condition of the coating and to detect the position of pillars. Using the magnetic micropillar substrate, we observed the deformation of an osteoblast cell at its focal adhesions. The findings indicate that the present micro device can be used to investigate mechanosensing systems of a cell.
