@article{GossmannFrotscherLinderetal.2016, author = {Goßmann, Matthias and Frotscher, Ralf and Linder, Peter and Bayer, Robin and Epple, U. and Staat, Manfred and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Artmann, Gerhard}, title = {Mechano-pharmacological characterization of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells}, series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry}, volume = {38}, journal = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry}, number = {3}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1421-9778 (Online)}, doi = {10.1159/000443124}, pages = {1182 -- 1198}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background/Aims: Common systems for the quantification of cellular contraction rely on animal-based models, complex experimental setups or indirect approaches. The herein presented CellDrum technology for testing mechanical tension of cellular monolayers and thin tissue constructs has the potential to scale-up mechanical testing towards medium-throughput analyses. Using hiPS-Cardiac Myocytes (hiPS-CMs) it represents a new perspective of drug testing and brings us closer to personalized drug medication. Methods: In the present study, monolayers of self-beating hiPS-CMs were grown on ultra-thin circular silicone membranes and deflect under the weight of the culture medium. Rhythmic contractions of the hiPS-CMs induced variations of the membrane deflection. The recorded contraction-relaxation-cycles were analyzed with respect to their amplitudes, durations, time integrals and frequencies. Besides unstimulated force and tensile stress, we investigated the effects of agonists and antagonists acting on Ca²⁺ channels (S-Bay K8644/verapamil) and Na⁺ channels (veratridine/lidocaine). Results: The measured data and simulations for pharmacologically unstimulated contraction resembled findings in native human heart tissue, while the pharmacological dose-response curves were highly accurate and consistent with reference data. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of the CellDrum with hiPS-CMs offers a fast, facile and precise system for pharmacological, toxicological studies and offers new preclinical basic research potential.}, language = {en} } @article{KowalskiLinderZierkeetal.2016, author = {Kowalski, Julia and Linder, Peter and Zierke, S. and Wulfen, B. van and Clemens, J. and Konstantinidis, K. and Ameres, G. and Hoffmann, R. and Mikucki, J. and Tulaczyk, S. and Funke, O. and Blandfort, D. and Espe, Clemens and Feldmann, Marco and Francke, Gero and Hiecker, S. and Plescher, Engelbert and Sch{\"o}ngarth, Sarah and Dachwald, Bernd and Digel, Ilya and Artmann, Gerhard and Eliseev, D. and Heinen, D. and Scholz, F. and Wiebusch, C. and Macht, S. and Bestmann, U. and Reineking, T. and Zetzsche, C. and Schill, K. and F{\"o}rstner, R. and Niedermeier, H. and Szumski, A. and Eissfeller, B. and Naumann, U. and Helbing, K.}, title = {Navigation technology for exploration of glacier ice with maneuverable melting probes}, series = {Cold Regions Science and Technology}, journal = {Cold Regions Science and Technology}, number = {123}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0165-232X}, doi = {10.1016/j.coldregions.2015.11.006}, pages = {53 -- 70}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The Saturnian moon Enceladus with its extensive water bodies underneath a thick ice sheet cover is a potential candidate for extraterrestrial life. Direct exploration of such extraterrestrial aquatic ecosystems requires advanced access and sampling technologies with a high level of autonomy. A new technological approach has been developed as part of the collaborative research project Enceladus Explorer (EnEx). The concept is based upon a minimally invasive melting probe called the IceMole. The force-regulated, heater-controlled IceMole is able to travel along a curved trajectory as well as upwards. Hence, it allows maneuvers which may be necessary for obstacle avoidance or target selection. Maneuverability, however, necessitates a sophisticated on-board navigation system capable of autonomous operations. The development of such a navigational system has been the focal part of the EnEx project. The original IceMole has been further developed to include relative positioning based on in-ice attitude determination, acoustic positioning, ultrasonic obstacle and target detection integrated through a high-level sensor fusion. This paper describes the EnEx technology and discusses implications for an actual extraterrestrial mission concept.}, language = {en} }