New Facilities

The Center for Cardiovascular Biomaterials has received a major equipment award for $1.1 million from the Ohio Board of Regents for state-of-the-art instrumentation, including new facilities for scanning force microscopy, optical and confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, with state-of-the-art digital imaging, molecular modeling and simulation, cell culture, flow cytometry, Langmuir-Blodgett films, and intravascular ultrasound imaging. This is a joint effort from a consortium consisting of Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, and The Cleveland Clinic. Major equipment resources are available, including the following:

New Scanning Force Microscopy Equipment: This equipment is part of the Biopolymer and Biomaterials Interfaces Resource, directed by Roger Marchant, and it provides unique imaging and force measurement capabilities, including three-dimensional submolecular level images of cell, biopolymer, and cardiovascular biomaterials under ambient or aqueous conditions. Force-distance measurements and profiles can be obtained on a sub-nano scale. Recent studies indicate that these sensitive measurements will provide new insights into interfacial forces of cell and biomolecular receptor-ligand interactions.

High Resolution Optical Microscope: This system, also under the direction of Roger Marchant, is based on a Nikon Model Diaphot 200 Inverted Microscope which is combined with an extensive array of accessories for phase contrast, DIC, IRM, epifluorescence, and micromanipulation that provide the crucial link between the macroscopic world from the millimeter and micron levels down to the submicroscopic world of AFM.

Intensified CCD and chilled CCD cameras: coupled to sophisticated image analysis provide high-resolution image acquisition under a range of challenging low-light and fluorescence conditions.

Hitachi S4500 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope: This new equipment addition will be under the direction of professor Arthur Heuer to enhance his resource on surface analysis. This SEM is one of the world's highest-resolution SEMs, capable of nanometer level image resolution of uncoated biological molecules. Digital data collection allows for the direct comparison and correlation with complementary techniques such as AFM to be made. In addition, extensive ancillary facilities for sample preparation, handling, and storage are available, as well as silicon graphics workstations for molecular modeling and simulation.

Confocal Microscopy: The confocal scanning laser immunofluorescent microscope system is a new addition to the Biocompatibility of Biomaterials Resource, under the direction of James Anderson, Ph.D. This instrument allows direct, non-destructive, dynamic examination and imaging of intracellular function in three dimensions and can be used to non-invasively image cells as well as intra-cell functional events in real time. As a result, new insights into cell-surface interactions are allowed, which can greatly enhance the biocompatibility studies possible.

Cell Culture Facilities: A new human tissue/cell culture facility will be dedicated to the mission of the Center and used for developing fundamental knowledge of cell and biochemical events of human blood cells or tissues with cardiovascular biomaterials. In addition, human cells cultured on biomaterials will be monitored with sophisticated molecular biology techniques such as Northern blotting or in situ hybridization.

Flow Cytometry: Dedicated dual-channel flow cytometry systems are new additions to two resources: the Cardiovascular Device Evaluation Resource, co-directed by Dr. Hiroaki Harasaki and Dr. Kandice Kottke-Marchant, and the Cellular Dynamics Resource, under the direction of Dr. Ronald Millard. These systems provide advanced capabilities for analysis of blood samples. The use of 2 color flow cytometry can be used to provide a direct comparison between modified and unmodified platelets in the same system at the same time. In vivo platelet activation can be detected by dual-channel laser-activated fluorescence flow cytometry using antibodies specific for activated platelets. In addition, SEM equipment, fluorescence photomicroscope and digital data analysis capabilities have been upgraded.

Langmuir-Blodgett System: State-of-the-art Langmuir-Blodgett facilities are now part of the Cellular Dynamics Resource at the University of Cincinnati, under the direction of Dr. Ronald Millard. This system permits the creation of well-defined molecular-level engineered monolayer and multilayer interfaces, including experimental models of phospholipid cell membranes. The evaluation of polymer monolayers with the aid of this computer-controlled system with fluorescence microscope attachment is an essential component in the design and development of new materials for cardiovascular contact surfaces.

Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging: The SONOS intravascular ultrasound imaging system available at the University of Cincinnati permits investigators to evaluate reporter blood cells for evidence of surface antigen expression following intravascular trauma, cell-cell interaction, and adhesion caused by presence of biomaterial or biopolymer prostheses and interfacial shear stresses. The system can also be used in vivo for determination of a fluid flow condition at the blood vessel wall or host-modified prosthesis surface. This resource is vital in designing materials of comparable biophysical characteristics to the tissues for which they will be substituted.

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