The Microsystems Series has as its goal the creation of an outstanding set of textbooks, references, and monographs on subjects that span the broad field of microsystems. Exceptional PhD dissertations provide a good starting point for such a series, because, unlike monographs by more senior authors, which must compete with other professional duties for attention, the dissertation becomes the sole focus of the author until it is completed. Conversion to book form is then a streamlined process, with final editing and book production completed within a few months. Thus we are able to bring important and timely material into book form at a pace which tracks this rapidly developing field. Our first four books in the series were drawn from the more physics-oriented side of the microsystems field, including such diverse subjects as computer-aided design, atomic-force microscopy, and ultrasonic motion detection. Now, with Sangeeta Bhatia's work, we enter the realm of biology. Her use of artifically structured substrates to encourage the liver cells to form orderly assemblies is a fine example of how microfabrication technology can contribute to cell biology and medicine. I am pleased to be able to add this very new and very interesting work to the Microsystems Series. Stephen D. Senturia Cambridge MA Microfabrication in Tissue Engineering and Bioartificial Organs Foreword One of the emerging applications of microsystems technology in biology and medicine is in the field of tissue engineering and artificial organs. In order to function, cells need to receive proper signals from their environment.

Klappentext

The drive to replace damaged tissues with `tissue engineered' constructs has led to fundamental questions regarding the importance of cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions in achieving the desired result. Photolithographic techniques coupled with standard silane chemistry can be readily adapted to reproducibly create arrays of cells on glass substrates, allowing control over the cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions of interest. These techniques have applications in bioartificial organs, in particular, and this study focuses on the utility of microfabrication in optimization of a bioartificial liver device.

Inhalt
Methodology for Fabrication, Characterization, and Analysis of Micropatterned Co-Cultures.- Characterization: Microfabricated Substrates & Co-Cultures.- Functional Analysis Of Micropatterned Co-Cultures.- Probing Mechanisms Of Hepatocyte/Fibroblast Interactions.- Optimization Of Hepatic Function In Co-Cultures.- Conclusions And Outlook.- References.