Microfabricated substrates: an approach to study how substrate rigidity and topography can affect cell functions.

The physical properties of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) play a key role in the regulation of cell functions. In particular, they influence the abilities of cells to sense, generate and bear mechanical forces. Although mechanical interactions between cells and their micro-environments clearly direct how cells organize and function, our understanding of the biology of traction forces, cell adhesion, and substrate mechanics remains incomplete. First, I will focus on the various methods based on microfabrication that we have developped to study cell-to-substrate interactions. Then, I will show how microfabricated substrates can be used to characterize and quantify the influence of the mechanical properties of the ECM on cell functions.