In injured tissues, interstitial flow and endogenous electric field are naturally generated to enhance healing process. These physical stimulations are known to play a vital role in wound healing process such as migration and ECM (extracellular matrix...
In injured tissues, interstitial flow and endogenous electric field are naturally generated to enhance healing process. These physical stimulations are known to play a vital role in wound healing process such as migration and ECM (extracellular matrix) production. To examine the combinatorial effects of fluid shear stress and electric field on the migration of fibroblast, an integrated microfluidic platform with an agar salt bridge was developed using soft lithography. Our preliminary results showed that two directional cues, mimicking the wounded situation, induce directional migration of fibroblasts to yield positive effects on healing of the wounds. Further researches are in progress to understand the synergetic effects of shear stress and electric fields in regard to the translocation of membrane receptors and ECM protein synthesis.