Applying mechanical forces on Drosophila tissues in vivo using the StretchCo, a 3D-printable device

Applying mechanical forces to tissues helps to understand morphogenesis and homeostasis. Additionally, recording the dynamics of living tissues under mechanical constraints is needed to explore tissue biomechanics. Here, we present a protocol to 3D-print a StretchCo device and use it to apply uniaxi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:STAR protocols 2024-03, Vol.5 (1), p.102851-102851, Article 102851
Main Authors: Gracia, Mélanie, Lefèvre, Bénédicte M., Güell Alonso, Raquel, Cachoux, Victoire, Balakireva, Maria, Guirao, Boris, Cuvelier, Damien, Bardin, Allison J., Bellaïche, Yohanns
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biophysics
Developmental biology
Dimethylpolysiloxanes
Drosophila
Epithelium
Life Sciences
Morphogenesis
Protocol
Stress, Mechanical
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Applying mechanical forces to tissues helps to understand morphogenesis and homeostasis. Additionally, recording the dynamics of living tissues under mechanical constraints is needed to explore tissue biomechanics. Here, we present a protocol to 3D-print a StretchCo device and use it to apply uniaxial mechanical stress on the Drosophila pupal dorsal thorax epithelium. We describe steps for 3D printing, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) strip cutting, and glue preparation. We detail procedures for PDMS strip mounting, tissue compaction, and live imaging upon force application. For additional details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cachoux et al. (2023)1 from which the StretchCo machine has been derived. [Display omitted] •Production of StretchCo and FlyPress using 3D printing•Steps for flattening and mounting of Drosophila pupae on the StretchCo•Procedure for dorsal notum compaction•Live imaging of epithelial tissue upon compaction Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Applying mechanical forces to tissues helps to understand morphogenesis and homeostasis. Additionally, recording the dynamics of living tissues under mechanical constraints is needed to explore tissue biomechanics. Here, we present a protocol to 3D-print a StretchCo device and use it to apply uniaxial mechanical stress on the Drosophila pupal dorsal thorax epithelium. We describe steps for 3D printing, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) strip cutting, and glue preparation. We detail procedures for PDMS strip mounting, tissue compaction, and live imaging upon force application.
ISSN:2666-1667
2666-1667
DOI:10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102851