Three-dimensionally patterned cardiomyocytes with high activity for powering bio-hybrid microdevices

We have demonstrated a simple method for patterning cardiac muscle cells with high activity on a micron scale for powering bio-hybrid microdevices. The morphology and mobility of patterned cardiac muscle cells within micro wells were analyzed with different topographical heights of the barrier. We found that three-dimensionally grown cardiac cells mediated by a higher physical barrier generated higher contraction force with faster beating frequency than those of cells attached to the collagen-coated surface on the culture dish (control), suggesting that control over cell growth and shape would be critical for potential engineered cellular motors. Thus, the micro patterned cardiac muscle cells presented here would provide a primary platform for building up 3-D bioactuated microdevices including an engineered cell motor.