(806h) Insights Into Cellular Mechanics of Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the ability to differentiate in response to mechanical properties of its extracellular microenvironment. Several studies have demonstrated this ability, but little is known about its cellular mechanics in response to changes that occur during cell development. Herein we demonstrate a method in traction force microscopy that provided a means for us to quantify and track cellular mechanics during development stages of ESCs such as proliferation, embryoid body formation and differentiation. Polyacrylamide gels prepared on activated coverslips were conjugated with gelatin and had a stiffness of 4200 Pa. Polyacrylamide gels contained 200 nm fluorescence beads that were used for traction analysis. Mouse ESCs were seeded onto PAA gels and monitored after 1, 2 and 3 days. Temporal changes in the cellular mechanics of ESCs during cell attachment, proliferation and embryoid body formation were monitored and quantified. Using this method, we are able to quantify and show both the spatial and temporal variations in cellular forces of ESCs in embryoid body clusters.