Influences of textured substrates on the heart rate of developing zebrafish embryos

Chia-Yun Chen and Chia-Yuan Chen



Identification of the effects of different textured substrates on zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos provides insights into the influence of external stimuli on normal cardiovascular functions in the developmental stages of the embryos. This knowledge can be used in numerous genetic studies using zebrafish as an animal model as well as in bioanalytical assays using digital microfluidics. In this study, zebrafish embryos were systematically positioned and in vivo imaged on four types of silicon substrates. These substrates exhibited surface textures and surface wettability that were well modulated by wet chemical etching. The heart rate of the developing embryos significantly increased by 9.1% upon exposure to textured Si substrates with nanostructured surfaces compared with bare Si substrates. Modulation of surface wettability in the tested substrates also responded to the increase in the heart rate of the embryo; however, the effect of surface wettability on heart rat...



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