Name: a microfluidic technique to probe cell deformability
Uploaded: 2014-09-03T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability at JoVE.com

The authors would like to acknowledge Lloyd Ung for constructive input in early versions of this technique, Dr. Jeremy Agresti for pressure cap design tips, and Dr. Dongping Qi for his help in fabricating the pressure cap. We are grateful to the laboratories of M. Teitell and P. Gunaratne for providing a variety of cell samples for testing. We are grateful to the National Science Foundation (CAREER Award DBI-1254185), the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute for supporting this work.

1. Microfluidic Device Design
NOTE: The device design has four basic functional regions: entry port, cell filter, constriction array, and exit port (Figure 1). The overall design can be applied to a wide array of cell types, with minor adjustments to dimensions. Provided here are a few basic design recommendations along with device parameters that are effective for a selection of both primary and immortalized cells.
<ol>
	<li>Select the width of constriction array channels (...

<ol>
	<li>Doerschuk, C. M., Beyers, N., Coxson, H. O., Wiggs, B., Hogg, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+neutrophil+and+capillary+diameters+and+their+relation+to+neutrophil+sequestration+in+the+lung.">Comparison of neutrophil and capillary diameters and their relation to neutrophil sequestration in the lung.</a> Journal of applied physiology. 74 (6), 3040-3045 (1993).</li><li>Fidler, I. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+pathogenesis+of+cancer+metastasis:+the+`seed+and+soil&#8217;+hypothesis+revisited.">The pathogenesis of cancer metastasis: the `seed and soil&#8217; hypothesis revisited.</a> Nature Reviews Cancer. 3, 453-458 (2003).</li><li>Jowhar, D., Wright, G., Samson, P. C., Wikswo, J. P., Janetopoulos, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Open+access+microfluidic+device+for+the+study+of+cell+migration+during+chemotaxis.">Open access microfluidic device for the study of cell migration during chemotaxis.</a> Integrative biology: quantitative biosciences from nano to macro. 2 (11-12), 648-658 (2010).</li><li>Hou, H. W., Li, Q. S., Lee, G. Y. H., Kumar, A. P., Ong, C. N., Lim, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deformability+study+of+breast+cancer+cells+using+microfluidics.">Deformability study of breast cancer cells using microfluidics.</a> Biomedical microdevices. 11 (3), 557-564 (2009).</li><li>Byun, S., 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=Characterizing+deformability+and+surface+friction+of+cancer+cells.">Characterizing deformability and surface friction of cancer cells.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110 (19), 7580-7585 (2013).</li><li>Rosenbluth, M. J., Lam, W. A., Fletcher, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analyzing+cell+mechanics+in+hematologic+diseases+with+microfluidic+biophysical+flow+cytometry.">Analyzing cell mechanics in hematologic diseases with microfluidic biophysical flow cytometry.</a> Lab on a chip. 8 (7), 1062-1070 (2008).</li><li>Chen, J., 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=Classification+of+cell+types+using+a+microfluidic+device+for+mechanical+and+electrical+measurement+on+single+cells.">Classification of cell types using a microfluidic device for mechanical and electrical measurement on single cells.</a> Lab on a Chip. 11 (18), 3174 (2011).</li><li>Zheng, Y., Shojaei-Baghini, E., Azad, A., Wang, C., Sun, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-throughput+biophysical+measurement+of+human+red+blood+cells.">High-throughput biophysical measurement of human red blood cells.</a> Lab on a Chip. 12 (14), 2560 (2012).</li><li>Zheng, Y., Nguyen, J., Wang, C., Sun, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrical+measurement+of+red+blood+cell+deformability+on+a+microfluidic+device.">Electrical measurement of red blood cell deformability on a microfluidic device.</a> Lab on a Chip. 13 (16), 3275 (2013).</li><li>Hogg, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+kinetics+and+lung+injury.">Neutrophil kinetics and lung injury.</a> Journal of applied physiology. 67 (4), 1249-1295 (1987).</li><li>Hochmuth, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Micropipette+aspiration+of+living+cells.">Micropipette aspiration of living cells.</a> Journal of biomechanics. 33 (1), 15-22 (2000).</li><li>Yap, B., Kamm, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytoskeletal+remodeling+and+cellular+activation+during+deformation+of+neutrophils+into+narrow+channels.">Cytoskeletal remodeling and cellular activation during deformation of neutrophils into narrow channels.</a> Journal of applied physiology. 99 (6), 2323-2330 (2005).</li><li>Bow, H., 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+microfabricated+deformability-based+flow+cytometer+with+application+to+malaria.">A microfabricated deformability-based flow cytometer with application to malaria.</a> Lab on a Chip. 11 (6), 1065-1073 (2011).</li><li>Qi, D., Hoelzle, D. J., Rowat, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Probing+single+cells+using+flow+in+microfluidic+devices.">Probing single cells using flow in microfluidic devices.</a> The European Physical Journal Special Topics. 204 (1), 85-101 (2012).</li><li>Doll, J. C., 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=SU-8+force+sensing+pillar+arrays+for+biological+measurements.">SU-8 force sensing pillar arrays for biological measurements.</a> Lab on a Chip. 9, 1449-1454 (2009).</li><li>Huntington, M. D., Odom, T. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Portable,+Benchtop+Photolithography+System+Based+on+a+Solid-State+Light+Source.">A Portable, Benchtop Photolithography System Based on a Solid-State Light Source.</a> Small. 7 (22), 3144-3147 (2011).</li><li>Grimes, A., Breslauer, D. N., Long, M., Pegan, J., Lee, L. P., Khine, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Shrinky-Dink+microfluidics:+rapid+generation+of+deep+and+rounded+patterns.">Shrinky-Dink microfluidics: rapid generation of deep and rounded patterns.</a> Lab on a chip. 8 (1), 170-172 (2008).</li><li>Rowat, A. C., Weitz, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chips+&amp;+Tips:+see+where+to+punch+holes+easily+in+a+PDMS+microfluidic+device.">Chips &amp; Tips: see where to punch holes easily in a PDMS microfluidic device.</a> Lab on a Chip. 8, 1888-1895 (2008).</li><li>Meyer, P., Kleinschnitz, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinoic+Acid+Induced+Differentiation+and+Commitment+in+HL-60+cells.">Retinoic Acid Induced Differentiation and Commitment in HL-60 cells.</a> Environmental Health Perspectives. 88, 179-182 (1990).</li><li>Olins, A., Herrmann, H., Lichter, P., Olins, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinoic+Acid+Differentiation+of+HL-60+Cells+Promotes+Cytoskeletal+Polarization.">Retinoic Acid Differentiation of HL-60 Cells Promotes Cytoskeletal Polarization.</a> Experimental Cell Research. 254 (1), 130-142 (2000).</li><li>Rosenbluth, M. J., Lam, W. A., Fletcher, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Force+Microscopy+of+Nonadherent+Cells:+A+Comparison+of+Leukemia+Cell+Deformability+.">Force Microscopy of Nonadherent Cells: A Comparison of Leukemia Cell Deformability .</a> Biophysical Journal. 90 (8), 2994-3003 (2006).</li><li>Tsai, M., Waugh, R., Keng, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+HL-60+cell+deformability+during+differentiation+induced+by+DMSO.">Changes in HL-60 cell deformability during differentiation induced by DMSO.</a> Biorheology. 33 (1), 1-15 (1996).</li><li>Rowat, A. C., 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=Nuclear+Envelope+Composition+Determines+the+Ability+of+Neutrophil-type+Cells+to+Passage+through+Micron-scale+Constrictions.">Nuclear Envelope Composition Determines the Ability of Neutrophil-type Cells to Passage through Micron-scale Constrictions.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 288 (12), 8610-8618 (2013).</li><li>Lam, W. A., Rosenbluth, M. J., Fletcher, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemotherapy+exposure+increases+leukemia+cell+stiffness.">Chemotherapy exposure increases leukemia cell stiffness.</a> Blood. 109 (8), 3505-3508 (2007).</li><li>Bhattacharya, S., Datta, A., Berg, J. M., Gangopadhyay, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+on+surface+wettability+of+poly(dimethyl)+siloxane+(PDMS)+and+glass+under+oxgen-plasma+treatment+and+correlation+with+bond+strength.">Studies on surface wettability of poly(dimethyl) siloxane (PDMS) and glass under oxgen-plasma treatment and correlation with bond strength.</a> Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems. 14 (3), 590-597 (2005).</li><li>Wu, M. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simple+poly(dimethylsiloxane)+surface+modification+to+control+cell+adhesion.">Simple poly(dimethylsiloxane) surface modification to control cell adhesion.</a> Surface and Interface Analysis. 41 (1), 11-16 (2009).</li><li>Unger, M. A., Chou, H. P., Thorsen, T., Scherer, A., Quake, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monolithic+Microfabricated+Valves+and+Pumps+by+Multilayer+Soft+Lithography.">Monolithic Microfabricated Valves and Pumps by Multilayer Soft Lithography.</a> Science. 288 (5463), 113-116 (2000).</li></ol>

Here we provide a comprehensive experimental procedure for analyzing the deformation of cells transiting through constricted microfluidic channels using pressure-driven flow. A MATLAB script enables automated data processing (Supplemental Material); an updated version of the code is maintained (<a href="http://www.ibp.ucla.edu/research/rowat" target="_blank">www.ibp.ucla.edu/research/rowat</a>). More broadly, the techniques presented here can be adapted in many cell-based microfluidic assays, including the effect of cyto...

Changes in cell shape are critical in numerous biological contexts. For example, erythrocytes and leukocytes deform through capillaries that are smaller than their own diameter1. In metastasis, cancer cells must deform through narrow interstitial gaps as well as tortuous vasculature and lymphatic networks to seed at secondary sites2. To probe the physical behavior of individual cells, microfluidic devices present an ideal platform that can be customized to study a range of cell behaviors including their ability to migrate through narrow gaps3 and to passively deform through micron-scale constrictions3-9. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices are optically transparent, enabling cell deformations to be visualized using light microscopy and analyzed using basic image processing tools. Moreover, arrays of constrictions can be precisely defined, enabling analysis of multiple cells simultaneously with a throughput that exceeds many existing techniques10,11.
Here we present a detailed experimental protocol for probing cell deformability using the &#8216;Cell Deformer&#8217; PDMS microfluidic device. The device is designed so that cells passage through sequential constrictions; this geometry is common in physiological contexts, such as the pulmonary capillary bed12. To gauge cell deformability, transit time provides a convenient metric that is easily measured as the time required for an individual cell to transit through a single constriction4,6. To maintain a constant pressure drop across the constricted channels during cell transit, we use pressure-driven flow. Our protocol includes detailed instructions on device design and fabrication, device operation by pressure-driven flow, preparation and imaging of cells, as well as image processing to measure the time for cells to deform through a series of constrictions. We include both device designs and vision data processing code as supplemental files. As a representative sample of data, we show cell transit time through a series of constrictions as a function of the number of constrictions passaged. Analysis of the timescale for cells to transit though narrow constrictions of a microfluidic device can reveal differences in the deformability of a variety of cell types4,5,13. The device demonstrated here uniquely surveys cell transit through a series of micron-scale constrictions; this design emulates the tortuous path that cells experience in circulation and also enables probing additional physical characteristics of the cells such as relaxation time.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="573">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Pluronic F-127 Block Copolymer Surfactant&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fisher Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">8409400</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Produced by BASF, also available through Sigma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">PDMS base and crosslinker</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Essex Brownell</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">DC-184-1.1</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Product commonly named Sylgard 184 Elastomer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Oxygen plasma discharge unit</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Enercon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Dyne-A-Mite 3D Treater</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Biopsy Punch, Harris Uni-Core (0.75 mm)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Ted Pella, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15072</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Fingertight Ferrule, 1/32&#34;</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Upchurch Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UP-F-113</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Fingertight III Fitting, 10-32</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Upchurch Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UP-F-300X</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing, outer diameter = 1/32&#34;or 0.79 mm</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Valco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">TPK.515-25M</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">polyethylene (PE-20) tubing, 0.043&#34; or 1.09 mm</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">427406</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Pressure regulator</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Airgas or Praxair</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Polyurethane tubing, 5/32&#8221; OD</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">McMaster Carr</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">5648K284</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Push-to-connect fittings</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">McMaster Carr</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">5111K91</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:216px;">Voltage to Pressure (E/P) Electropneumatic Converter</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">IP413-020</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="height:52px;width:216px;">16-bit,250 kS/S, 80 Analog Inputs Multifunction DAQ</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">NI PCI 6225-779295-01</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="height:52px;width:216px;">Analog Connector Block-Screw Terminal</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SCB-68-776844-01</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="height:52px;width:216px;">LabView System Design Software</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="height:52px;width:216px;">Matlab Software</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">The MathWorks, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Matlab R2012a</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Code requires the Image Processing Toolbox</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="53">
			<td height="53" style="height:53px;width:216px;">Shielded Cable</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SHC68-68</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a microfluidic technique to probe cell deformability

Here we detail the design, fabrication, and use of a microfluidic device to evaluate the deformability of a large number of individual cells in an efficient manner. Typically, data for ~102 cells can be acquired within a 1 hr experiment. An automated image analysis program enables efficient post-experiment analysis of image data, enabling processing to be complete within a few hours. Our device geometry is unique in that cells must deform through a series of micron-scale constrictions, thereby enabling the initial deformation and time-dependent relaxation of individual cells to be assayed. The applicability of this method to human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells is demonstrated. Driving cells to deform through micron-scale constrictions using pressure-driven flow, we observe that human promyelocytic (HL-60) cells momentarily occlude the first constriction for a median time of 9.3 msec before passaging more quickly through the subsequent constrictions with a median transit time of 4.0 msec per constriction. By contrast, all-trans retinoic acid-treated (neutrophil-type) HL-60 cells occlude the first constriction for only 4.3 msec before passaging through the subsequent constrictions with a median transit time of 3.3 msec. This method can provide insight into the viscoelastic nature of cells, and ultimately reveal the molecular origins of this behavior.

To investigate the deformability of different cell types, human myeloid leukemia cells (HL-60), differentiated neutrophil cells, mouse lymphocyte cells, and human ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR8, HEYA8) are evaluated using the &#8216;Cell Deformer&#8217; microfluidic technique. Representative results for the transit time of HL-60 and neutrophil-type HL-60 cells show the timescale for a single cell to transit through a series of constrictions, as shown in Figure 6. Transit time is measured for a populat...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability at JoVE.com

A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability

We demonstrate a microfluidics-based assay to measure the timescale for cells to transit through a sequence of micron-scale constrictions.

Here we detail the design, fabrication, and use of a microfluidic device to evaluate the deformability of a large number of individual cells in an ...

Research

Education

JoVE Journal

JoVE Core

Statistics

Bioengineering

Unit 1

Measure of Central Tendency

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

Systematic Analysis of In Vitro Cell Rolling Using a Multi-well Plate Microfluidic System

Systematic Analysis of In Vitro Cell Rolling Using a Multi-well Plate Microfluidic System

A major challenge for cell-based therapy is the inability to systemically target a large quantity of viable cells with high efficiency to tissues of ...

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This ...

Analyzing Mixing Inhomogeneity in a Microfluidic Device by Microscale Schlieren Technique

In this paper, we introduce the use of microscale schlieren technique to measure mixing inhomogeneity in a microfluidic device. The microscale schlieren ...

Microfluidic Genipin Deposition Technique for Extended Culture of Micropatterned Vascular Muscular Thin Films

The chronic nature of vascular disease progression requires the development of experimental techniques that simulate physiologic and pathologic vascular ...

Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices

We demonstrate the use of patterned aerosol adhesives to construct both planar and nonplanar 3D paper microfluidic devices. By spraying an aerosol ...

A Microfluidic Platform for High-throughput Single-cell Isolation and Culture

Studying the heterogeneity of single cells is crucial for many biological questions, but is technically difficult. Thus, there is a need for a simple, yet ...

Rapid Subtractive Patterning of Live Cell Layers with a Microfluidic Probe

The microfluidic probe (MFP) facilitates performing local chemistry on biological substrates by confining nanoliter volumes of liquids. Using one ...

Multi-step Variable Height Photolithography for Valved Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

Microfluidic systems have enabled powerful new approaches to high-throughput biochemical and biological analysis. However, there remains a barrier to ...