TY - JOUR A1 - Forster, Eva A1 - Mayer, Matthias A1 - Rabindranath, Raman A1 - Böse, Holger A1 - Schlunck, Günther A1 - Monkman, Gareth J. A1 - Shamonin (Chamonine), Mikhail T1 - Patterning of ultrasoft, agglutinative magnetorheological elastomers JF - Journal of applied polymer science N2 - A low-cost wax-cast molding technique for structuring ultrasoft (Young’s modulus ≤ 40 kPa), agglutinative magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) material is presented. MRE structures ranging from a few millimeters down to the micrometer range with highly reproducible results are possible. Semitransparent MREs are also fabricated and their surfaces modified accordingly. This method opens new possibilities for MREs in biomedical engineering and microfluidic applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013 Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/app.38500 VL - 128 IS - 4 SP - 2508 EP - 2515 PB - Wiley CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mayer, Matthias A1 - Rabindranath, Raman A1 - Börner, Juliane A1 - Hörner, Eva A1 - Bentz, Alexander A1 - Salgado, Josefina A1 - Han, Hong A1 - Böse, Holger A1 - Probst, Jörn A1 - Shamonin (Chamonine), Mikhail A1 - Monkman, Gareth J. A1 - Schlunck, Günther T1 - Ultra-Soft PDMS-Based Magnetoactive Elastomers as Dynamic Cell Culture Substrata JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Mechanical cues such as extracellular matrix stiffness and movement have a major impact on cell differentiation and function. To replicate these biological features in vitro, soft substrata with tunable elasticity and the possibility for controlled surface translocation are desirable. Here we report on the use of ultra-soft (Young’s modulus <100 kPa) PDMS-based magnetoactive elastomers (MAE) as suitable cell culture substrata. Soft non-viscous PDMS (<18 kPa) is produced using a modified extended crosslinker. MAEs are generated by embedding magnetic microparticles into a soft PDMS matrix. Both substrata yield an elasticity-dependent (14 vs. 100 kPa) modulation of α-smooth muscle actin expression in primary human fibroblasts. To allow for static or dynamic control of MAE material properties, we devise low magnetic field (≈40 mT) stimulation systems compatible with cell-culture environments. Magnetic field-instigated stiffening (14 to 200 kPa) of soft MAE enhances the spreading of primary human fibroblasts and decreases PAX-7 transcription in human mesenchymal stem cells. Pulsatile MAE movements are generated using oscillating magnetic fields and are well tolerated by adherent human fibroblasts. This MAE system provides spatial and temporal control of substratum material characteristics and permits novel designs when used as dynamic cell culture substrata or cell culture-coated actuator in tissue engineering applications or biomedical devices. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076196 VL - 8 IS - 10 PB - PLOS ER -