Integrated and diffusion-based micro-injectors for open access cell assays

Currently, most microfluidic devices are fabricated with embedded micro-channels and other elements in a close form with outward connections. Although much functionality has been demonstrated and a large number of applications have been developed, they are not easy for routine operation in biology l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lab on a chip 2011-01, Vol.11 (15), p.2612-2617
Main Authors: Li, Xin, Liu, Li, Wang, Li, Kamei, Ken-ichiro, Yuan, Qinghua, Zhang, Fan, Shi, Jian, Kusumi, Akihiro, Xie, Min, Zhao, Zhenjie, Chen, Yong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arrays
Assaying
Culture
Devices
Diffusion
Diffusion rate
Drug delivery systems
Mice
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods
Microinjections - instrumentation
Microinjections - methods
NIH 3T3 Cells
Nozzles
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Summary:Currently, most microfluidic devices are fabricated with embedded micro-channels and other elements in a close form with outward connections. Although much functionality has been demonstrated and a large number of applications have been developed, they are not easy for routine operation in biology laboratories where most in vitro cell processing still relies on the use of culture dishes, glass slides, multi-well plates, tubes, pipettes, etc. We report here an open access device which consists of an array of isolated micro-channels plated on a large culture surface, each of them having tiny nozzles for localized drug delivery. In a diffusion dominant regime, steady gradients of molecule concentration could be obtained and varied by changing the flow rate inside the micro-channels. As assay examples, cell staining and drug-induced cell apoptosis were demonstrated, showing fast cell responses in close proximity of the nozzles.
ISSN:1473-0197
1473-0189
DOI:10.1039/c1lc20258h