New Method of Studying Tissue Uses Pipettes

Scientists working on developing new cures, or simply on making more sense of how cells in the human body work could soon benefit from the advantages of a new tool designed especially for this. A group of investigators from Canada and France announces the development of a new observations method that could make it easier than ever before to test things such as the level of adhesion that exists between the cells of a tissue, or the elastic properties of the tissue itself. This could give researchers unique data in a very simple manner, thus eliminating the need for existing processes that are both time-consuming and expensive.

The international research team says that their approach relies on using nothing more than very small pipettes. In spite of its simplicity, the experts add, the technique could make the study of structural properties of tissues a lot easier, and could also facilitate collecting new data on still-mysterious processes, such as human embryonic development, tissue growth and cancer progression. Details of the method were published in a paper appearing in the May 24 issue of the esteemed scientific journal Physical Review Letters, the group adds.

Until now, studies on what structural properties tissues had were done mainly through compression. The target sample was placed between two plates, and then minute amounts of force were applied to the devices. The sample was then compressed, and researchers looked at how the cells deformed and changed in response to the increased pressure. The new method takes an entirely different approach, but can also be used to complement the plate-based technique. It can provide measurement capabilities for a wider set of tissue traits as well, the scientists say. All researchers have to do is approach the tip of the pipette to a globular sample of cell, and then apply a little bit of suction to the instrument.

As this is happening, some cells will naturally be drawn in, but without actually separating from the tissue cluster. This will allow for scientists to conduct measurement on living tissues, while their “targets” are in their natural environments. The team admits, however, that there are some drawbacks to this method. One of them is the fact that only tissues featuring strongly-bound cells can be analyzed through this method. Another is the fact that measurements obtained in this manner can be somewhat unclear, due to the fact that only a limited number of cells can be drawn in. However, the method does have potential in helping bioengineers grow artificial organs, experts say.