BME Seminar: Probing the Bioeffects of Cavitation at the Single Cell Level

Pei Zhong, Ph.D., Duke University

River Campus, Robert B. Goergen Hall, Sloan Auditorium (Room 101)

Abstract: Ultrasound-induced bioeffects are well documented clinically and in the laboratories using animal, tissue, and cell models.  In addition, there has been a sustained and growing interest in exploring a diverse range of bioeffects produced by pulsed ultrasound, especially those mediated by cavitation, such as sonoporation and neuronal modulation.  However, challenges exist in defining the specific mechanism responsible for cavitation-produced bioeffects due to the complexity in bubble(s)-tissue interaction.  In this talk, I will describe the development of a unique microfluidic platform that can be used to investigate laser-generated bubble dynamics, microjet formation, flow motion, and cell deformation with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution at the single cell level. I will present results on pinpoint membrane poration, intracellular calcium response, necrosis, apoptosis, and repairable membrane poration produced by the jetting flow induced by tandem bubble interaction with patterned single cells at various standoff distances. The heterogeneous cell membrane deformation will be highlighted and its correlation with the resultant bioeffects discussed. Understanding the relationship between cavitation bubble dynamics, cell deformation, membrane injury, and calciumresponse will be critical for exploiting ultrasound-stimulated mechanotransduction applications (or sonogenetics) in the future.