Microfluidics-Based Analysis in Cell Patterning

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Cell patterning technology is very useful for revealing the basic physiological processes of cells, such as cell migration, polarization, differentiation, proliferation and cell signaling, so it is widely used in various biological research, including tissue engineering, neuronal network formation, cell-based Biosensors and drug screening. Although various methods have been developed, cell patterning at the single cell level in closed microfluidic devices remains challenging.

Creative Biolabs uses our microfluidic technology platform to pair micropores and protein patterns together in a single microchannel, making it easy to pattern cells. Cells can survive in the microchannel for up to 6 days, meanwhile, cell attachment, migration, proliferation, and cell colony formation are observed. Our microfluidic devices are not constrained by the topography of the patterned cells and do not require complex chemical modifications of the substrates, thus providing a simple, fast and easy way to map cells at the level of a single cell in a closed microfluidic channel.

Fig.1 Schematic of the microfluidic chip with protein patterns paired with triangular microwells. (Tu, 2017)

Advantages of Microfluidic Technology in Cell Pattern Analysis

Research such as stem cell differentiation, cell heterogeneity and neuron science show great demands for cell patterning at single cell level. At present, there are mainly three types of methods for patterning cells on the culture substrate: physical patterning, chemical patterning, and methods combining physical and chemical patterning. Although these methods are relatively accurate, their complicated experimental design, potential cell damage due to external forces, and low flux limit their application.

In recent years, with the advent of microfluidic technology, researchers can combine physical micropores and chemical protein patterns in closed microfluidic channels. The entire cell pattern operation can be completed in a short time. At present, cell migration, cell proliferation and colony formation of different types of cells have been successfully observed through microfluidic technology, which proves the patterning performance of the chip. Besides, compared with methods based on inkjet, optical and dielectrophoresis, microfluidic technology adopts the main strategy of “capture and release”, which can locate and pattern cells without complicated experimental settings or external forces other than gravity. In addition, micropores and micro-contact printing (μCP) used in the equipment can be easily realized in most biological laboratories after manufacturing the master, without chemical surface modification or special experience, which makes it easy and fast to manipulate cell patterns in microfluidic devices.

Microfluidics-Based Cell Patterning Service

Creative Biolabs has a complete microfluidic technology platform, we can help customers design and development microfluidics chips for cell patterning:

Cell-patterning microfluidic device with paired micropore and protein patterns can be used for rapid single cell patterning.
Optimization of the micro contact printing. The PLL-FITC was printed as a visible indicator through different μCP programs, and its quality was evaluated with fluorescence intensity and uniformity as two criteria.
Single cell analysis. Single-cell analysis can provide accurate information about intracellular substances and biochemical reactions. Moreover, it can reflect the specific relationship between cell function and chemical composition, as well as the special role of certain cells in living organisms.
Intercellular interaction analysis. The absence of topographic constraint brings a higher medium exchange efficiency, which plays an important role in cell-cell interaction by diffusible signaling. In addition, cells are captured and transferred to protein patterns, which is different from devices that use the selective attachment of cells. There is no need to use cell attachment protection materials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) to chemically restrict cells in specific areas, thereby avoiding complex chemical modifications. Cells can grow more freely and more closely, reflecting the characteristics of natural conditions.

If you want to inquire more about our microfluidics-based cell patterning services, please contact us.

Reference

Tu, C.; et al. A microfluidic chip for cell patterning utilizing paired microwells and protein patterns. Micromachines. 2017, 8.1: 1.

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.