COMPUTER-AIDED MECHANOGENESIS OF SKELETAL-MUSCLE ORGANS FROM SINGLE CELLS-INVITRO

Complex mechanical forces generated in the growing embryo play an important role in organogenesis. Computerized mechanical application of similar forces to differentiating skeletal muscle myoblasts in vitro generate three-dimensional artificial muscle organs. These organs contain parallel networks of long unbranched myofibers organized into fascicle-like structures. Tendon development is initiated and the muscle's are capable of performing directed, functional work. Kinetically engineered organs provide a new method for studying the growth and development of normal and diseased tissue.