Los autores desean agradecer a las Ciencias Naturales e Ingeniería del Consejo de Investigación de Canadá, Canadá Programa de Cátedras de Investigación, Institutos Canadienses de Investigación en Salud y Ontario Ministerio de Investigación e Innovación a través de su Programa de Premios investigadores temprana de apoyo financiero.

1. La fotolitografía de fabricación Molde Maestro <ol><li> Bañar una oblea de silicio de 3 pulgadas en acetona durante 30 segundos y después metanol durante 30 segundos. Enjuague con dH 2 0 agua durante 5 minutos. </li><li> Seque la superficie de la oblea con una pistola de aire comprimido N2. Se calienta la oblea en una placa caliente a 140 ° C durante 2 min. </li><li> Plasma oxidar la superficie de la oblea de silicio (1 min, 50 W). </li><li> Spin-capa de la superficie de la oblea con 3 ml SU-8 100 fotosensible (40 seg; 1.750 rpm). </li><li> Pre-hornear la oblea recubierta sobre una placa caliente a 65 ° C durante 10 min, a continuación, la rampa la temperatura hasta 95 ° C durante 2 min. Mantener esta configuración durante 1 h adicional. </li><li> Alinear una fotomáscara con el diseño de canal deseado. Exponer al resistirse a 550-600 mJ / cm 2 de la luz UV (350-400 nm). Photomasks se pueden diseñar en AutoCAD y se imprimen en una transparencia con la impresión de alta resolución. </li><li> Post-hornear la oblea en una placa caliente a 65 ° C durante 1 min y 95 ° C durante 10 min, el aumento gradual de tque la temperatura que antes. </li><li> Sumerja la oblea de SU-8 solución de revelado durante 10-15 min. Compruebe la finalización del desarrollo de un enjuague con isopropanol. Si aparece un precipitado blanco, continuar con el desarrollo. El molde maestro se muestra en la Figura 2A. </li></ol> 2. Litografía blanda para Fabricación Microchannel <ol><li> Mezclar 35 ml de polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS) con base de elastómero de 3,5 ml de agente de curado PDMS. </li><li> Coloque el molde maestro fabricada (patrón hacia arriba) y una oblea de silicio en blanco en placas de Petri llenas de papel de aluminio. </li><li> Verter 20 ml PDMS prepolímero en el plato de molde maestro y 15 ml en el segundo plato. Eliminar las burbujas de aire debajo de las obleas presionando suavemente con un aplicador de madera desechable. </li><li> Cubra ambos platos y dejar de lado por un día para curar. Alternativamente, para el curado más rápido, eliminar las burbujas de aire de la PDMS con un desgasificador de vacío y luego dejar los platos en una placa caliente a 80 ° C durante 2hora </li><li> Quite el papel de aluminio y la cáscara de la PDMS de las obleas. </li><li> Utilice la Harris Uni-Core (2,5 mm) para perforar los puertos de acceso de fluidos en ambos extremos del canal. Cortar el canal y en blanco PDMS en tiras de tamaño similar. </li><li> Cargar el canal, la tira de PDMS en blanco y un portaobjetos de vidrio (75 × 25 mm 2) en un plasma oxidante, probablemente situado en una sala limpia. Exponer al plasma de oxígeno durante 40 segundos a potencia 40 W. </li><li> Pegar la pieza del canal y portaobjetos de vidrio a los lados opuestos de la tira en blanco. Ponga a un lado durante 2 horas para completar la unión. </li><li> Coloque el conjunto sobre una placa caliente a 120 ° C. Conecte el tubo de plástico (diámetro interior de 1/32 &quot;, diámetro exterior de 3/32&quot;), cada uno por lo menos 6 pulgadas de largo, a los depósitos perforados utilizando PDMS prepolímero. Fije un conector de plástico fluídico a uno o ambos tubos para permitir la fijación jeringa, o utilizar accesorios disponibles comercialmente. </li><li> Permitir el PDMS asegurar el tubo para curar. Inserte 3 &quot;longitudes de calibre 22 alambre de cobre aislado en each depósito, entre el tubo de entrada y el canal, y seguro con PDMS prepolímero. El producto terminado se muestra en la Figura 2B. </li></ol> 3. Electrotaxis Experiment <ol><li> Coloque el microcanal en la etapa (preferiblemente XY-móvil) de un microscopio con una cámara montada conectado a un monitor (Figura 1). </li><li> Conecte la fuente de alimentación o cables de salida del amplificador a los electrodos del microcanal. Una fuente de alimentación de CC simple es suficiente si sólo se desea una señal de CC, pero un amplificador conectado a un generador de funciones permite la aplicación de señales de CA y CC pulsada así. </li><li> Fije el tubo de salida del microcanal a una jeringa desechable. Sumergir la boca del tubo de entrada en tampón fisiológico M9 y suavemente aspiran líquido en el canal mediante la aplicación de una presión negativa dentro de la jeringa (ya sea manualmente o usando una bomba de jeringa). Cuando los tubos de entrada y de salida son a la vez lleno de M9, desconecte la jeringa fROM del tubo. Nivel ambos tubos a la misma altura para evitar el flujo accionado hidrostáticamente. </li><li> Aplicar un voltaje de CC para el canal y garantizar que la resistencia (R = V / I) es de alrededor de 0,6 mW (para una 50 mm de largo, 0,3 mm de ancho y 0,1 mm ~ microcanal profundo). </li><li> Si está satisfecho con la integridad de la cadena, siga los pasos anteriores para cargar los gusanos de una suspensión diluida en el canal. </li><li> Desconecte la jeringa y hidrostáticamente manipular el flujo mediante el ajuste de altura relativa de los tubos. Utilice este método para colocar un tornillo sin fin en el centro del canal y a continuación, establecer ambos tubos plana a la misma elevación. </li><li> Establecer la fuente de alimentación a la tensión apropiada: 4-12 V / cm para L3 animales etapa, 4-10 V / cm para L4s, y 2-4 V / cm para los adultos jóvenes. Active la señal eléctrica y deje 1 min de pre-exposición para el gusano para aclimatarse al campo. El gusano debería comenzar a moverse hacia el cátodo. Cuando el momento ha pasado, usar la cámara para comenzar a grabar. </li><li> Para CA y pulsod experimentos DC, el campo eléctrico máximo de respuesta puede ser adoptado de ciclo de la señal anterior y la frecuencia y actividad puede ser modulada deseada como 7, 8. </li><li> Una vez finalizada experimento, eliminar todo el líquido (y gusanos) de la canal, enjuagarlo con dH 2 0, y dejar el dispositivo en una placa caliente a 125 ° C para secar. </li><li> Extraer datos de locomoción de los vídeos grabados utilizando manualmente NIH ImageJ ( <a href="http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/" target="_blank">http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/</a> ) o software de seguimiento del gusano MATLAB basado personalizado. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Kuwahara, T., Koyama, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Familial+Parkinson+mutant+&#945;-synuclein+causes+dopamine+neuron+dysfunction+in+transgenic+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Familial Parkinson mutant &#945;-synuclein causes dopamine neuron dysfunction in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281 (1), 334-340 (2006).</li><li>Kuwahara, T., Koyama, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+systematic+RNAi+screen+reveals+involvement+of+endocytic+pathway+in+neuronal+dysfunction+in+a-synuclein+transgenic.">A systematic RNAi screen reveals involvement of endocytic pathway in neuronal dysfunction in a-synuclein transgenic.</a> 17 (19), 2997-3009 (2008).</li><li>Su, L. J., Auluck, P. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Compounds+from+an+unbiased+chemical+screen+reverse+both+ER-to-Golgi+trafficking+defects+and+mitochondrial+dysfunction+in+Parkinson's+disease+models.">Compounds from an unbiased chemical screen reverse both ER-to-Golgi trafficking defects and mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease models.</a> Dis. Model Mech. 3 (3-4), 194-208 (2010).</li><li>Rezai, P., Siddiqui, A., Selvaganapathy, P. R., Gupta, B. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrotaxis+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans+in+a+microfluidic+environment.">Electrotaxis of Caenorhabditis elegans in a microfluidic environment.</a> Lab Chip. 10 (2), 220-226 (2010).</li><li>Salam, S., Ansari, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+microfluidics+set+up+to+study+neuronal+degeneration+and+identification+of+neuroprotective+compounds+in+C.+elegans.">A microfluidics set up to study neuronal degeneration and identification of neuroprotective compounds in C. elegans.</a> , (2013).</li><li>Rezai, P., Salam, S., Selvaganapathy, P. R., Gupta, B. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrical+sorting+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Electrical sorting of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Lab Chip. 12 (10), 1831-1840 (2012).</li><li>Rezai, P., Salam, S., Selvaganapathy, P. R., Gupta, B. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+pulse+direct+current+signals+on+electrotactic+movement+of+nematodes+Caenorhabditis+elegans+and+Caenorhabditis+briggsae.">Effect of pulse direct current signals on electrotactic movement of nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae.</a> Biomicrofluidics. 5 (4), 044116 (2011).</li><li>Rezai, P., Siddiqui, A., Selvaganapathy, P. R., Gupta, B. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavior+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans+in+alternating+electric+field+and+its+application+to+their+localization+and+control.">Behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans in alternating electric field and its application to their localization and control.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 96 (15), 153702 (2010).</li><li>van Ham, T. J., Thijssen, K. L., Breitling, R., Hofstra, R. M., Plasterk, R. H., Nollen, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=C.+elegans+model+identifies+genetic+modifiers+of+alpha-synuclein+inclusion+formation+during+aging.">C. elegans model identifies genetic modifiers of alpha-synuclein inclusion formation during aging.</a> PLoS Genet. 4, e1000027 (2008).</li><li>Brenner, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+genetics+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">The genetics of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 77 (1), 71-94 (1974).</li><li>Gabel, C. V., Gabel, H., Pavlichin, D., Kao, A., Clark, D. A., Samuel, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+circuits+mediate+electrosensory+behavior+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Neural circuits mediate electrosensory behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> J. Neurosci. 27 (28), 7586-7596 (2007).</li><li>Chuang, H. -. S., Raizen, D. M., Lamb, A., Dabbish, N., Bau, H. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dielectrophoresis+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Dielectrophoresis of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Lab Chip. 11 (4), 599-604 (2011).</li><li>Cronin, C. J., Mendel, J. E., Mukhtar, S., Kim, Y. -. M., Stirbl, R. C., Bruck, J., Sternberg, P. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+automated+system+for+measuring+parameters+of+nematode+sinusoidal+movement.">An automated system for measuring parameters of nematode sinusoidal movement.</a> BMC Genet. 6, 5 (2005).</li><li>Mani&#232;re, X., Lebois, F., Matic, I., Ladoux, B., Meglio, J. -. M. D. i., Hersen, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Running+worms:+C.+elegans+self-sorting+by+electrotaxis.">Running worms: C. elegans self-sorting by electrotaxis.</a> PLoS One. 6 (2), e16637 (2011).</li></ol>

El ensayo de la tecnología de microfluidos electrotaxis ha sido presentada por patente en los Estados Unidos de América y Canadá.

Aprovechando el fenómeno de comportamiento descrito por primera vez por Gabel y sus colegas y basándose en el trabajo de manipulación dielectroforética de Chuang et al 11,12, nuestro ensayo electrotaxis microfluidos basada en un método sencillo, robusto y sensible para investigar la actividad neuronal en los gusanos que utilizan el movimiento como una salida. El análisis de los parámetros de movimiento permite la comparación cuantitativa entre diferentes genotipos. La precisión de la fabricación de ...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>CALEDON Labs</td>
			<td>1200-1-30</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Methanol</td>
			<td>CALEDON Labs</td>
			<td>6700-1-30</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isopropanol</td>
			<td>CALEDON Labs</td>
			<td>8600-1-40</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SU-8</td>
			<td>Microchem Corp.</td>
			<td>Y131273</td>
			<td>SU-8 100</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SU-8 Developer</td>
			<td>Microchem Corp.</td>
			<td>Y020100</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>92x16 mm Petri dish</td>
			<td>Sarstedt</td>
			<td>82.1473.001</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sylgard 184 Silicone Elastomer Kit</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Contains elastomer base and curing agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Function generator</td>
			<td>Tektronix Inc.</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Model AFG3022B</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amplifier</td>
			<td>Trek Inc.</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Model 2210-CE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe pump</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>70-4506</td>
			<td>Model 11 ELITE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hot plate</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11675916Q</td>
			<td>Model HP131725Q</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

microfluidic-based electrotaxis for on-demand quantitative analysis of caenorhabditis elegans' locomotion

Los nematodo Caenorhabditis elegans es un organismo modelo para la investigación biomédica versátil debido a su conservación de los genes y las vías relacionadas con la enfermedad, así como su facilidad de cultivo. Varios C. modelos de enfermedad elegans han sido reportados, incluyendo trastornos neurodegenerativos tales como la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), que implica la degeneración de dopaminérgico (DA), las neuronas 1. Tanto los transgenes y los productos químicos neurotóxicos se han utilizado para inducir la neurodegeneración DA y defectos movimiento consiguientes en gusanos, lo que permite las investigaciones sobre la base de la neurodegeneración y las pantallas de los genes neuroprotectores y compuestos 2,3. Pantallas en eucariotas inferiores como C. elegans proporcionan un medio eficiente y económico para identificar compuestos y genes que afectan a la señalización neuronal. Pantallas convencionales se realizan típicamente de forma manual y marcados por inspección visual y, en consecuencia, son el tiempo-contrasUming y propenso a errores humanos. Además, la mayoría se centran en el análisis de nivel celular, mientras que haciendo caso omiso de la locomoción, que es un parámetro especialmente importante para los trastornos del movimiento. Hemos desarrollado un nuevo sistema de selección de microfluidos (Figura 1) que controla y cuantifica C. locomoción elegans &#39;utilizando estímulos de campo eléctrico en el interior de microcanales. Hemos demostrado que un campo de corriente continua (CC) puede inducir robustamente en-demanda locomoción hacia el cátodo (&quot;electrotaxis&quot;) 4. Invertir la polaridad del campo hace que el tornillo sin fin de revertir rápidamente su dirección. También hemos demostrado que los defectos en las neuronas sensoriales y dopaminérgicas otra alteran la respuesta de natación 5. Por lo tanto, las anormalidades en la señalización neuronal se puede determinar utilizando la locomoción como una lectura de salida. La respuesta del movimiento se puede cuantificar con precisión mediante una serie de parámetros tales como la velocidad de natación, frecuencia de flexión cuerpo y el tiempo de reversión. <p class = &quot;jove_content&quot;&gt; Nuestro trabajo ha puesto de manifiesto que la respuesta electrotactic varía con la edad. Específicamente, los adultos jóvenes responden a un rango inferior de los campos eléctricos y se mueven más rápido en comparación con las larvas de 4. Estos hallazgos llevaron a diseñar un nuevo dispositivo de microfluidos para ordenar pasivamente gusanos por la edad y el fenotipo 6. También hemos puesto a prueba la respuesta de los gusanos a impulsos DC y alterna los campos eléctricos de corriente (AC). Campos de CC pulsada de diversos ciclos de trabajo efectivamente electrotaxis generados en tanto C. elegans y su primo C. briggsae 7. En otro experimento, los campos de CA simétricas con frecuencias que van desde 1 Hz a 3 KHz inmovilizados gusanos en el interior del canal 8. Aplicación del campo eléctrico en un entorno microfluídico permite una ejecución rápida y automatizada del ensayo electrotaxis. Este enfoque promete para facilitar pantallas genéticas y químicas de alto rendimiento para los factoresque afecta a la función neuronal y la viabilidad.

Un representante de vídeo electrotaxis una de tipo salvaje joven de nematodos adultos y su posición y salidas de velocidad desde el software de seguimiento de gusano se muestran en la complementaria de vídeo 1 y la Figura 3. El software de análisis de movimiento en sí mismo no reconoce la dirección de la polaridad de campo y el momento de la inversión de la polaridad; más bien, esta información se debe obtener de la fuente de vídeo. Esto se podría hacer utilizando una señal ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Microfluidic-based Electrotaxis for On-demand Quantitative Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans' Locomotion at JoVE.com

Microfluidic-based Electrotaxis for On-demand Quantitative Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans&#039; Locomotion

Un método de micro-electro-fluido semi-automático para inducir la locomoción en la demanda de<em&gt; Caenorhabditis elegans</em&gt; Se describe. Este método se basa en el fenómeno neurofisiológica de gusanos que responden a los campos eléctricos suaves (&quot;electrotaxis&quot;) dentro de los canales de microfluidos. Microfluidos electrotaxis sirve como una técnica rápida, sensible, de bajo costo, y escalable para la detección de factores que afectan a la salud neuronal.

Electrotaxis microfluidos basados ​​en On-Demand Análisis cuantitativo de<em&gt; Caenorhabditis elegans</em&gt; &#39;Locomotion

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a versatile model organism for biomedical research because of its conservation of disease-related genes and ...

microfluidic-based-electrotaxis-for-on-demand-quantitative-analysis

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Microfluidic-based Electrotaxis for On-demand Quantitative Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans' Locomotion

9.7K vistas.  McMaster University. Un método de micro-electro-fluido semi-automático para inducir la locomoción en la demanda de Caenorhabditis elegans Se describe. Este método se basa en el fenómeno neurofisiológica de gusanos que responden a los campos eléctricos suaves ("electrotaxis") dentro de los canales de microfluidos. Microfluidos electrotaxis sirve como una técnica rápida, sensible, de bajo costo, y escalable para la detección de factores que afectan a la salud ...

Video: Microfluidic-based Electrotaxis for On-demand Quantitative Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans' Locomotion

Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells

To date, most HCA (High Content Analysis) studies are carried out with adherent cell lines grown on a homogenous substrate in tissue-culture treated micro-plates. Under these conditions, cells spread and divide in all directions resulting in an inherent variability in cell shape, morphology and behavior. The high cell-to-cell variance of the overall population impedes the success of HCA, especially for drug development. The ability of micropatterns to normalize the shape and internal polarity of every individual cell provides a tremendous opportunity for solving this critical bottleneck 1-2.
To facilitate access and use of the micropatterning technology, CYTOO has developed a range of ready to use micropatterns, available in coverslip and microwell formats. In this video article, we provide detailed protocols of all the procedures from cell seeding on CYTOOchip micropatterns, drug treatment, fixation and staining to automated acquisition, automated image processing and final data analysis. With this example, we illustrate how micropatterns can facilitate cell-based assays. Alterations of the cell cytoskeleton are difficult to quantify in cells cultured on homogenous substrates, but culturing cells on micropatterns results in a reproducible organization of the actin meshwork due to systematic positioning of the cell adhesion contacts in every cell. Such normalization of the intracellular architecture allows quantification of even small effects on the actin cytoskeleton as demonstrated in these set of protocols using blebbistatin, an inhibitor of the actin-myosin interaction.

Adhesive micropatterns that normalize cellular architecture can be used to increase sensitivity in the detection of drug effects, improve reproducibility and simplify automated image acquisition and analysis. Such technology will benefit drug/siRNA screening assays, performed on conventional cell culture supports and consequently suffering from excessive cell-to-cell variability.

Una mejor visualización y análisis cuantitativo de los efectos de drogas Uso de células micropatterned

To date, most HCA (High Content Analysis) studies are carried out with adherent cell lines grown on a homogenous substrate in tissue-culture treated ...

Investigación

Bioingeniería

A Microfluidic-based Hydrodynamic Trap for Single Particles

The ability to confine and manipulate single particles in free solution is a key enabling technology for fundamental and applied science. Methods for particle trapping based on optical, magnetic, electrokinetic, and acoustic techniques have led to major advancements in physics and biology ranging from the molecular to cellular level. In this article, we introduce a new microfluidic-based technique for particle trapping and manipulation based solely on hydrodynamic fluid flow. Using this method, we demonstrate trapping of micro- and nano-scale particles in aqueous solutions for long time scales. The hydrodynamic trap consists of an integrated microfluidic device with a cross-slot channel geometry where two opposing laminar streams converge, thereby generating a planar extensional flow with a fluid stagnation point (zero-velocity point). In this device, particles are confined at the trap center by active control of the flow field to maintain particle position at the fluid stagnation point. In this manner, particles are effectively trapped in free solution using a feedback control algorithm implemented with a custom-built LabVIEW code. The control algorithm consists of image acquisition for a particle in the microfluidic device, followed by particle tracking, determination of particle centroid position, and active adjustment of fluid flow by regulating the pressure applied to an on-chip pneumatic valve using a pressure regulator. In this way, the on-chip dynamic metering valve functions to regulate the relative flow rates in the outlet channels, thereby enabling fine-scale control of stagnation point position and particle trapping. The microfluidic-based hydrodynamic trap exhibits several advantages as a method for particle trapping. Hydrodynamic trapping is possible for any arbitrary particle without specific requirements on the physical or chemical properties of the trapped object. In addition, hydrodynamic trapping enables confinement of a "single" target object in concentrated or crowded particle suspensions, which is difficult using alternative force field-based trapping methods. The hydrodynamic trap is user-friendly, straightforward to implement and may be added to existing microfluidic devices to facilitate trapping and long-time analysis of particles. Overall, the hydrodynamic trap is a new platform for confinement, micromanipulation, and observation of particles without surface immobilization and eliminates the need for potentially perturbative optical, magnetic, and electric fields in the free-solution trapping of small particles.

In this article, we present a microfluidic-based method for particle confinement based on hydrodynamic flow. We demonstrate stable particle trapping at a fluid stagnation point using a feedback control mechanism, thereby enabling confinement and micromanipulation of arbitrary particles in an integrated microdevice.

Una de microfluidos basada en hidrodinámica trampa para las partículas individuales

The ability to confine and manipulate single particles in free solution is a key enabling technology for fundamental and applied science.  Methods for ...

Quantitative Locomotion Study of Freely Swimming Micro-organisms Using Laser Diffraction

Soil and aquatic microscopic organisms live and behave in a complex three-dimensional environment. Most studies of microscopic organism behavior, in contrast, have been conducted using microscope-based approaches, which limit the movement and behavior to a narrow, nearly two-dimensional focal field.1 We present a novel analytical approach that provides real-time analysis of freely swimming C. elegans in a cuvette without dependence on microscope-based equipment. This approach consists of tracking the temporal periodicity of diffraction patterns generated by directing laser light through the cuvette. We measure oscillation frequencies for freely swimming nematodes.
Analysis of the far-field diffraction patterns reveals clues about the waveforms of the nematodes. Diffraction is the process of light bending around an object. In this case light is diffracted by the organisms. The light waves interfere and can form a diffraction pattern. A far-field, or Fraunhofer, diffraction pattern is formed if the screen-to-object distance is much larger than the diffracting object. In this case, the diffraction pattern can be calculated (modeled) using a Fourier transform.2
C. elegans are free-living soil-dwelling nematodes that navigate in three dimensions. They move both on a solid matrix like soil or agar in a sinusoidal locomotory pattern called crawling and in liquid in a different pattern called swimming.3 The roles played by sensory information provided by mechanosensory, chemosensory, and thermosensory cells that govern plastic changes in locomotory patterns and switches in patterns are only beginning to be elucidated.4 We describe an optical approach to measuring nematode locomotion in three dimensions that does not require a microscope and will enable us to begin to explore the complexities of nematode locomotion under different conditions.

Microscopic organisms like the free-swimming nematode C. elegans, live and behave in a complex three-dimensional environment. We report on a novel approach that provides analysis of C. elegans using diffraction patterns. This approach consists of tracking the temporal periodicity of diffraction patterns generated by directing laser light through a cuvette.

Estudio cuantitativo de Locomotion libremente Piscina microorganismos utilizando la difracción láser

Soil and aquatic microscopic organisms live and behave in a complex three-dimensional environment. Most studies of microscopic organism behavior, in ...

Quantitative FRET (F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer) Analysis for SENP1 Protease Kinetics Determination

Reversible posttranslational modifications of proteins with ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) are widely used to dynamically regulate protein activity and have diverse roles in many biological processes. For example, SUMO covalently modifies a large number or proteins with important roles in many cellular processes, including cell-cycle regulation, cell survival and death, DNA damage response, and stress response 1-5. SENP, as SUMO-specific protease, functions as an endopeptidase in the maturation of SUMO precursors or as an isopeptidase to remove SUMO from its target proteins and refresh the SUMOylation cycle 1,3,6,7.
The catalytic efficiency or specificity of an enzyme is best characterized by the ratio of the kinetic constants, kcat/KM. In several studies, the kinetic parameters of SUMO-SENP pairs have been determined by various methods, including polyacrylamide gel-based western-blot, radioactive-labeled substrate, fluorescent compound or protein labeled substrate 8-13. However, the polyacrylamide-gel-based techniques, which used the "native" proteins but are laborious and technically demanding, that do not readily lend themselves to detailed quantitative analysis. The obtained kcat/KM from studies using tetrapeptides or proteins with an ACC (7-amino-4-carbamoylmetylcoumarin) or AMC (7-amino-4-methylcoumarin) fluorophore were either up to two orders of magnitude lower than the natural substrates or cannot clearly differentiate the iso- and endopeptidase activities of SENPs.
Recently, FRET-based protease assays were used to study the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) or SENPs with the FRET pair of cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) 9,10,14,15. The ratio of acceptor emission to donor emission was used as the quantitative parameter for FRET signal monitor for protease activity determination. However, this method ignored signal cross-contaminations at the acceptor and donor emission wavelengths by acceptor and donor self-fluorescence and thus was not accurate.
We developed a novel highly sensitive and quantitative FRET-based protease assay for determining the kinetic parameters of pre-SUMO1 maturation by SENP1. An engineered FRET pair CyPet and YPet with significantly improved FRET efficiency and fluorescence quantum yield, were used to generate the CyPet-(pre-SUMO1)-YPet substrate 16. We differentiated and quantified absolute fluorescence signals contributed by the donor and acceptor and FRET at the acceptor and emission wavelengths, respectively. The value of kcat/KM was obtained as (3.2 &plusmn; 0.55) x107 M-1s-1 of SENP1 toward pre-SUMO1, which is in agreement with general enzymatic kinetic parameters. Therefore, this methodology is valid and can be used as a general approach to characterize other proteases as well.

Quantitative FRET F&amp;#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer Analysis for SENP1 Protease Kinetics Determination

A novel method involving quantitative analysis of FRET (F&ouml;rster Resonance Energy Transfer) signals is described for studying enzyme kinetics. KM and kcat were obtained for the hydrolysis of the catalytic domain of SENP1 (SUMO/Sentrin specific protease 1) to pre-SUMO1 (Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier). The general principles of this quantitative-FRET-based protease kinetic study can be applied to other proteases.

Cuantitativo FRET (transferencia de energía de resonancia de Förster) Análisis para SENP1 Proteasa Determinación Kinetics

Reversible posttranslational modifications of proteins with ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) are widely used to dynamically regulate protein ...

Drug-induced Sensitization of Adenylyl Cyclase: Assay Streamlining and Miniaturization for Small Molecule and siRNA Screening Applications

Sensitization of adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling has been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders including substance abuse and Parkinson&#39;s disease. Acute activation of G&#945;i/o-linked receptors inhibits AC activity, whereas persistent activation of these receptors results in heterologous sensitization of AC and increased levels of intracellular cAMP. Previous studies have demonstrated that this enhancement of AC responsiveness is observed both in vitro and in vivo following the chronic activation of several types of G&#945;i/o-linked receptors including D2 dopamine and &#956; opioid receptors. Although heterologous sensitization of AC was first reported four decades ago, the mechanism(s) that underlie this phenomenon remain largely unknown. The lack of mechanistic data presumably reflects the complexity involved with this adaptive response, suggesting that nonbiased approaches could aid in identifying the molecular pathways involved in heterologous sensitization of AC. Previous studies have implicated kinase and Gb&#947; signaling as overlapping components that regulate the heterologous sensitization of AC. To identify unique and additional overlapping targets associated with sensitization of AC, the development and validation of a scalable cAMP sensitization assay is required for greater throughput. Previous approaches to study sensitization are generally cumbersome involving continuous cell culture maintenance as well as a complex methodology for measuring cAMP accumulation that involves multiple wash steps. Thus, the development of a robust cell-based assay that can be used for high throughput screening (HTS) in a 384&#160;well format would facilitate future studies. Using two D2 dopamine receptor cellular models (i.e.&#160;CHO-D2L and HEK-AC6/D2L), we have converted our 48-well sensitization assay (&#62;20 steps 4-5 days) to a five-step, single day assay in 384-well format. This new format is amenable to small molecule screening, and we demonstrate that this assay design can also be readily used for reverse transfection of siRNA in anticipation of targeted siRNA library screening.

Persistent activation of inhibitory G protein-coupled receptors results in sensitization of adenylyl cyclase signaling. To identify the essential molecular pathways, nonbiased approaches are necessary; however, this strategy requires the development of a scalable cell-based cAMP sensitization assay. Herein, we describe a sensitization assay for small molecule and siRNA screening.

Inducido por fármacos Sensibilización de adenilciclasa: Racionalización Ensayo y miniaturización de moléculas pequeñas y siRNA aplicaciones de cribado

Sensitization of adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling has been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders including substance abuse ...

A Microfluidic-based Electrochemical Biochip for Label-free DNA Hybridization Analysis

Miniaturization of analytical benchtop procedures into the micro-scale provides significant advantages in regards to reaction time, cost, and integration of pre-processing steps. Utilizing these devices towards the analysis of DNA hybridization events is important because it offers a technology for real time assessment of biomarkers at the point-of-care for various diseases. However, when the device footprint decreases the dominance of various physical phenomena increases. These phenomena influence the fabrication precision and operation reliability of the device. Therefore, there is a great need to accurately fabricate and operate these devices in a reproducible manner in order to improve the overall performance. Here, we describe the protocols and the methods used for the fabrication and the operation of a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for accurate analysis of DNA hybridization events. The biochip is composed of two parts: a microfluidic chip with three parallel micro-channels made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and a 3 x 3 arrayed electrochemical micro-chip. The DNA hybridization events are detected using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The EIS analysis enables monitoring variations of the properties of the electrochemical system that are dominant at these length scales. With the ability to monitor changes of both charge transfer and diffusional resistance with the biosensor, we demonstrate the selectivity to complementary ssDNA targets, a calculated detection limit of 3.8 nM, and a 13% cross-reactivity with other non-complementary ssDNA following 20 min&#160;of incubation. This methodology can improve the performance of miniaturized devices by elucidating on the behavior of diffusion at the micro-scale regime and by enabling the study of DNA hybridization events.

We present a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for DNA hybridization detection. Following ssDNA probe functionalization, the specificity, sensitivity, and detection limit are studied with complementary and non-complementary ssDNA targets. Results illustrate the influence of the DNA hybridization events on the electrochemical system, with a detection limit of 3.8 nM.

Un biochip electroquímico basado en microfluidos para el análisis de hibridación ADN-Label libre

Miniaturization of analytical benchtop procedures into the micro-scale provides significant advantages in regards to reaction time, cost, and integration ...

Electrotaxis Studies of Lung Cancer Cells using a Multichannel Dual-electric-field Microfluidic Chip

The behavior of directional cell migration under a direct current electric-field (dcEF) is referred to as electrotaxis. The significant role of physiological dcEF in guiding cell movement during embryo development, cell differentiation, and wound healing has been demonstrated in many studies. By applying microfluidic chips to an electrotaxis assay, the investigation process is shortened and experimental errors are minimized. In recent years, microfluidic devices made of polymeric substances (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA, or acrylic) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been widely used in studying the responses of cells to electrical stimulation. However, unlike the numerous steps required to fabricate a PDMS device, the simple and rapid construction of the acrylic micro&#64258;uidic chip makes it suitable for both device prototyping and production. Yet none of the reported devices facilitate the efficient study of the simultaneous chemical and dcEF effects on cells. In this report, we describe our design and fabrication of an acrylic-based multichannel dual-electric-field (MDF) chip to investigate the concurrent effect of chemical and electrical stimulation on lung cancer cells. The MDF chip provides eight combinations of electrical/chemical stimulations in a single test. The chip not only greatly shortens the required experimental time but also increases accuracy in electrotaxis studies.

Many microfluidic devices have been developed for use in the study of electrotaxis. Yet, none of these chips allows the efficient study of the simultaneous chemical and electric-field (EF) effects on cells. We developed a polymethylmethacrylate-based device that offers better-controlled coexisting EF and chemical stimulation for use in electrotaxis research.

Estudios electrotaxis de pulmón células de cáncer utilizando un Multicanal Dual-campo eléctrico chip de microfluidos

The behavior of directional cell migration under a direct current electric-field (dcEF) is referred to as electrotaxis. The significant role of ...

Multicolor Fluorescence Detection for Droplet Microfluidics Using Optical Fibers

Fluorescence assays are the most common readouts used in droplet microfluidics due to their bright signals and fast time response. Applications such as multiplex assays, enzyme evolution, and molecular biology enhanced cell sorting require the detection of two or more colors of fluorescence. Standard multicolor detection systems that couple free space lasers to epifluorescence microscopes are bulky, expensive, and difficult to maintain. In this paper, we describe a scheme to perform multicolor detection by exciting discrete regions of a microfluidic channel with lasers coupled to optical fibers. Emitted light is collected by an optical fiber coupled to a single photodetector. Because the excitation occurs at different spatial locations, the identity of emitted light can be encoded as a temporal shift, eliminating the need for more complicated light filtering schemes. The system has been used to detect droplet populations containing four unique combinations of dyes and to detect sub-nanomolar concentrations of fluorescein.

Multicolor fluorescence detection in droplet microfluidics typically involves bulky and complex epifluorescence microscope-based detection systems. Here we describe a compact and modular multicolor detection scheme that utilizes an array of optical fibers to temporally encode multicolor data collected by a single photodetector.

Multicolor detección por fluorescencia de la gotita de microfluídica el uso de fibras ópticas

Fluorescence assays are the most common readouts used in droplet microfluidics due to their bright signals and fast time response. Applications such as ...

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur

This protocol describes the use of a newly developed external fixator for distraction osteogenesis in a rat femoral model. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical technique leading to bone regeneration after an osteotomy. The osteotomized extremities are moved away from each other by gradual distraction to reach the desired elongation. This procedure is widely used in humans for lower and upper limb lengthening, treatment after a bone nonunion, or the regeneration of a bone defect following surgery for bone tumor excision, as well as in maxillofacial reconstruction. Only a few studies clearly demonstrate the efficiency of their protocol in obtaining a functional regenerated bone, i.e., bone that will support physiological weight-bearing without fracture after removal of the external fixator. Moreover, protocols for DO vary and reproducibility is limited by lack of information, making comparison between studies difficult. The aim of this study was to develop a reproducible protocol comprising an appropriate external fixator design for rat limb lengthening, with a detailed surgical technique that permits physiological weight-bearing by the animal after removal of the external fixator.

This study describes a reproducible and detailed protocol using a newly developed external fixator for distraction osteogenesis (DO) in a femoral rat model which permits physiological weight-bearing by the animal after removal of the external fixator.

Un protocolo eficiente y Reproducible para la osteogénesis de la distracción en un modelo de rata a un fémur regenerado funcional

This protocol describes the use of a newly developed external fixator for distraction osteogenesis in a rat femoral model. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) ...

A Microfluidic Platform for Longitudinal Imaging in Caenorhabditis elegans

In the last decade, microfluidic techniques have been applied to study small animals, including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and have proved useful as a convenient live imaging platform providing capabilities for precise control of experimental conditions in real time. In this article, we demonstrate live imaging of individual worms employing WormSpa, a previously-published custom microfluidic device. In the device, multiple worms are individually confined to separate chambers, allowing multiplexed longitudinal surveillance of various biological processes. To illustrate the capability, we performed proof-of-principle experiments in which worms were infected in the device with pathogenic bacteria, and the dynamics of expression of immune response genes and egg laying were monitored continuously in individual animals. The simple design and operation of this device make it suitable for users with no previous experience with microfluidic-based experiments. We propose that this approach will be useful for many researchers interested in longitudinal observations of biological processes under well-defined conditions.

A Microfluidic Platform for Longitudinal Imaging in Caenorhabditis elegans

In this article, we demonstrate live imaging of individual worms employing a custom microfluidic device. In the device, multiple worms are individually confined to separate chambers, allowing multiplexed longitudinal surveillance of various biological processes.

Una plataforma de microfluidos para la proyección de imagen Longitudinal en Caenorhabditis elegans

In the last decade, microfluidic techniques have been applied to study small animals, including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and have proved ...

Electrotaxis microfluidos basados ​​en On-Demand Análisis cuantitativo de

Electrotaxis microfluidos basados en On-Demand Análisis cuantitativo de