Cell releasing system using light responsive photovoltaic devices

Mohammod Khairul Kabir Bhuyan, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Tissue and organ regeneration via transplantation of cell bodies in-situ has become an emerging strategy in regenerative medicine. Injected or implanted cells must be available in large enough numbers and suitable delivery methods must be found especially when implantation into the affected tissue is not possible. In addition, better understanding of how to mitigate the inflammatory reactions and how to degrade the cell carriers are needed. Current cell-based therapies are limited to injection or implantation of cell suspensions or implantation of cell sheets. Development of alternative systems to obtain cell sheets or other functional cellular structures are required. We are investigating light treatment as an efficient, safe, and repeatable method to release cells, cellular aggregates, structures or sheets for implantation in regenerative medicine. We hypothesize that cells cultured on the surfaces of a photovoltaic element may be released by applying visible radiation to the element. The light will induce a surface charge on the element causing cells to be released by electrostatic repulsion. Herein, we conducted a study that examines the amount and viability of myoblasts cells released from a photovoltaic element upon light exposure. We investigated (i) the biocompatibility of PV devices, (ii) the utilization of PV devices as cell substrate iii) the release of attached cells from PV surfaces upon light stimulation, and (iv) the progressive release of proliferated cells from PV devices. C2C12 myoblast cells were cultured on sterile silicon based photovoltaic elements with n-type surface under typical cell culture conditions. Upon confluence, the elements were exposed to low power visible lights for 1-2 hours. Cells in the supernatant and those attached were collected and counted. In addition live/dead assays and DAPI staining were performed on the released cells. Cells released by light exposure were re-seeded for further culture. The results showed that approximately 40% of attached cells could be released from the element upon a light exposure. This strategy may be used to release cells or cellular structures for eventual use in regenerative medicine.

Subject Area

Biomedical engineering|Environmental engineering

Recommended Citation

Bhuyan, Mohammod Khairul Kabir, "Cell releasing system using light responsive photovoltaic devices" (2014). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI3636245.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI3636245

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