Fabrication of sharp silicon arrays to wound Caenorhabditis elegans.
Sci Rep
; 10(1): 3581, 2020 02 27.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32108170
ABSTRACT
Understanding how animals respond to injury and how wounds heal remains a challenge. These questions can be addressed using genetically tractable animals, including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Given its small size, the current methods for inflicting wounds in a controlled manner are demanding. To facilitate and accelerate the procedure, we fabricated regular arrays of pyramidal features ("pins") sharp enough to pierce the tough nematode cuticle. The pyramids were made from monocrystalline silicon wafers that were micro-structured using optical lithography and alkaline wet etching. The fabrication protocol and the geometry of the pins, determined by electron microscopy, are described in detail. We also used electron microscopy to characterize the different types of injury caused by these pins. Upon wounding, C. elegans expresses genes encoding antimicrobial peptides. A comparison of the induction of antimicrobial peptide gene expression using traditional needles and the pin arrays demonstrates the utility of this new method.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Silício
/
Caenorhabditis elegans
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article