O financiamento para esta pesquisa foi fornecido pela New Jersey Comissão sobre a medula espinhal Research (NJCSCR) (a FHK), conceder CSCR14IRG005 (a BLF), NIH conceder R15NS087501 (a CHC), ea Fundação Kirby FM (a ETA).

NOTA: Por favor, consulte todas as folhas de dados de segurança pertinentes (MSDS) antes do uso. Alguns dos produtos químicos utilizados no presente protocolo são tóxicos e cancerígenos. Por favor, use todas as práticas de segurança adequadas (extractor de fumo, porta-luvas) e equipamentos de proteção individual (óculos de segurança, luvas, jaleco, calça de corpo inteiro, sapatos fechados) ao utilizar materiais tóxicos ou ácido / base. 1. Fabricação de Mestre Moldes para macio Litografia usando fotolitografia <ol><li> Desenhar o layout dos microcanais, utilizando uma ferramenta de desenho assistido por computador (CAD). </li><li> Imprimir o layout em uma placa de máscara em branco usando escritor máscara laser. </li><li> Lavar uma bolacha de silício de 4 polegadas com acetona seguido de isopropanol e seco com uma pistola de ar de azoto para assegurar que não solvente é deixado sobre a bolacha. </li><li> Desidratar a bolacha cozendo-o sobre uma placa quente a 200 ° C durante 5 min. </li><li> Selecione um fotorresiste negativo projetado para a altura desejada dos microcanais. Fou exemplo, usar fotorresistente negativo SU-8 50 para obter microcanais com uma altura de 50 mm. </li><li> Permitir que a bolacha se arrefecer até à temperatura ambiente, e depois alinhar a bolacha sobre o mandril de uma máquina de revestimento de centrifugação. </li><li> Dispensar 4 mL (um diâmetro / polegada mL da bolacha) de material fotosensitivo negativo para o centro da bolacha. </li><li> Girar revestir o wafer com um ciclo de centrifugação de duas etapas usando um spinner. Em primeiro lugar, aplicam-se um ciclo de propagação de 500 rpm, com uma aceleração de 100 rotações / s para 10 s. Em seguida, aplicar um ciclo de centrifugação de 2000 rpm, com uma aceleração de 300 rotações / s para 30 s 2 para se obter um revestimento de 50 um de material fotosensitivo sobre uma bolacha. </li><li> coza macia do wafer em duas etapas em uma placa quente de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. Para um revestimento de 50 um de foto-resistente, em primeiro lugar pré-cozem a bolacha a 65 ° C durante 6 minutos e depois rampa imediatamente acima da temperatura da placa quente para o pós-coza a bolacha a 95 ° C durante 20 min. </li><li> Permitir que a bolacha se arrefecer até à temperatura ambiente e, em seguida, carregar owafer para o palco litografia. </li><li> Alinhar a máscara sobre a bolacha usando alinhador máscara e expõe a bolacha à luz UV (de acordo com as instruções do fabricante), a uma intensidade de 1,5 mW / cm2 durante 146 s de aplicar a dose total de UV de 220 mJ / cm 2 necessária para uma 50 um espessa camada de fotorresiste. </li><li> Aplicar coza pós exposição ao wafer em duas etapas em uma placa quente. Para um revestimento de 50 mícrons de material fotosensitivo, primeiro pré-cozem a bolacha a 65 ° C durante 1 min e imediatamente rampa até a temperatura da placa quente para o pós-asse a 95 ° C durante 5 min. </li><li> Desenvolver o wafer em submergindo a bolacha em SU-8 desenvolvedor e agitando até que os recursos tornam-se claras sobre o wafer. Desenvolver o wafer de ~ 6 min para o fotorresiste de espessura 50 mm. </li><li> Lavar o excesso de desenvolvedor com isopropanol e etanol, em seguida, secar o wafer com uma pistola de ar de azoto. </li><li> Disco cozer a bolacha de silício sobre uma placa quente a 150 ° C durante 15 min. </li><li> Coloque obolacha num exsicador com 25 uL do agente de silanização tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-1-triclorossilano. NOTA: O agente de silanização é corrosivo, portanto, deve ser usado em um exaustor de ácido / base, com equipamento adequado de proteção individual (óculos de segurança, luvas, jaleco, calça de corpo inteiro, fechou-toe sapatos). </li><li> Aplicar vácuo durante 5 minutos e expor a bolacha aos vapores de silano durante 30 min sem libertar o vácuo. </li><li> Transferir a bolacha em um prato de Petri de tamanho adequado. </li></ol> 2. Fabricação de Mestre Moldes para macio Litografia com fita adesiva <ol><li> Desenhar o layout dos microcanais, utilizando uma ferramenta de desenho CAD e imprimir o desenho em papel branco. </li><li> Limpar uma lâmina de vidro grande o suficiente para acomodar o projeto com isopropanol e depois secar o slide com uma pistola de ar. </li><li> Anexar fita adesiva sobre a lâmina de vidro limpa. Seja não tomar cuidado para prender as bolhas de ar. </li><li> Tape os lados do GLAss deslizar sobre o papel com o design, com o lado da fita para cima. </li><li> Usar um bisturi para cortar a fita sobre a lâmina de vidro usando o design de papel como uma referência e, em seguida, descascar fita de áreas não desejadas de a lâmina de vidro. </li><li> Lavar a lâmina de vidro com isopropanol e depois seque com uma pistola de ar. Cozer a lâmina de vidro em um forno a 65 ° C durante 30 min. </li><li> Rolar suavemente sobre a fita adesiva com um rolo de borracha para retirar as bolhas de ar e permitir que a corrediça se arrefecer até à temperatura ambiente. </li></ol> 3. Macio Litografia Fabricação dos dispositivos PDMS <ol><li> Misture PDMS elastómero e o seu agente de cura numa proporção de 10: 1 (w: w), agita-se a mistura vigorosamente, e, em seguida, desgaseificar a mistura, colocando-o em uma câmara de vácuo até que não há bolhas de ar aparecer na mistura. </li><li> Verter a mistura para um molde de silício silanizada ou molde de fita adesiva num prato de petri para obter um ~ 2 espessa camada de PDMS e desgaseificar mm até todo o ar bolhas desaparecem. </li><li> Curar o PDMS em um fornoa 65 ° C durante 2 h. </li><li> Use um bisturi para cortar a camada de PDMS pelo menos 5 mm de distância das características e, em seguida, descasque as PDMS curado fora do molde usando pinça. </li><li> Um único orifício de entrada com uma biópsia de um milímetro perfurar qualquer lugar no microcanal, de preferência ao fim de uma rede de microcanais como pode ser visto na Figura 2-A e 4-B. </li><li> Limpar o PDMS expressos com fita adesiva para remover partículas de poeira adsorvidos sobre o dispositivo. Esteriliza-se o dispositivo de microcanal PDMS (PDMS fundido) por lavagem com uma solução de etanol a 70%, seguido por estéril desionizada (DI) de água, e expor a UV durante 30 min. </li><li> Manter o dispositivo PDMS estéril numa placa de Petri estéril até à sua utilização. </li></ol> 4. Substrato Padronização <ol><li> Coloque as PDMS estéreis expressos usando uma pinça para uma lamela de vidro esterilizada ou placa de petri e aplique uma leve pressão com a ponta da pinça. NOTA: O elenco PDMS faz um conformado, mas vedação reversível com a gllamela asno ou placa de petri formando microcanais sem o uso de qualquer adesivo. </li><li> Coloque uma gota (20 - 40 ul) da solução de substrato na entrada cobrindo completamente o orifício de entrada. Padrão poli-D-lisina (PDL), colocando uma gota de 20 ul de PDL em tampão tetraborato de sódio na entrada dos microcanais. </li><li> Colocar a placa de Petri num vácuo de ~ 254 mmHgA (equivalente a uma câmara de vácuo em laboratórios biológicos) durante 10 min, e observar o ar que sai do canal sob a forma de bolhas. </li><li> Desligar o vácuo e observar a solução de substrato que flui para o microcanal. </li><li> Incubar o prato com as condições adequadas para a adesão substrato. Ver Quadros 1 e 2 para as condições de incubação (estes variam dependendo do substrato). Para padronização PDL, incubar durante 1 h a 37 ° C. </li><li> Retire cuidadosamente o selo PDMS usando uma pinça estéreis e lavar o padrão na lamela de vidro três vezes com água DI. </li&gt; <li> Adicionar uma solução a 1% de albumina de soro bovino (BSA) para a placa de petri para cobrir o prato ou a lamela de vidro e incubar durante a noite a 37 ° C. NOTA: Isto irá reduzir a aderência não específica em regiões não revestidos. </li><li> Aspirar fora a solução de BSA a 1%, e o substrato modelado está agora pronto para usar. </li></ol> 5. Padronização indireta de Células <ol><li> Preparar a suspensão de células em meio de cultura isento de soro. O tipo de célula e a densidade de células são listadas na Tabela 1. </li><li> Adicionar a suspensão de células para o prato modelado Petri e completamente imersa a região modelada em suspensão de células. </li><li> Incubar a placa de Petri a 37 ° C em uma incubadora durante 15 minutos para permitir que as células para anexar o substrato modelado. </li><li> Aspirar o excesso de suspensão de células a partir da placa de Petri e lavar as células modelado três vezes com salina tamponada com fosfato (PBS), enquanto agitando durante 10 segundos para remover células não ligadas. </li><li> Adicionar a umppropriate cultura médio para as culturas de células padronizadas e incubar as células padronizadas a 37 ° C em uma incubadora de CO 2. </li></ol> 6. Padronização direta de células NOTA: Esta técnica é uma alternativa à padronização de células indirecto descrito no passo 5. No entanto, ao contrário de no passo 5, nesta técnica células são modelados em superfícies de cultura de tecidos com ou sem revestimento de substrato. <ol><li> Esteriliza-se o dispositivo de microfluidos por lavagem com uma solução de 70% de etanol seguido por água desionizada. </li><li> Embeber o dispositivo durante a noite numa solução de 1% de BSA para evitar a adesão celular ao PDMS. </li><li> Seca-se o dispositivo à temperatura ambiente e coloque-o da parte inferior da placa de petri tratadas com cultura de tecidos. </li><li> Preparar a suspensão de células em meio de cultura isento de soro. O tipo de célula e a densidade de células são listadas na Tabela 2. </li><li> Coloque uma gota (4-8 mL) da suspensão de células, suficiente para encher omicrocanais, na entrada cobrindo completamente o orifício de entrada. </li><li> Colocar a placa de petri em vácuo durante 10 minutos e observar ar que sai do canal sob a forma de bolhas. Desligar o vácuo e observar a suspensão de células que flui para o microcanal. </li><li> Incubar a placa de Petri dentro de uma incubadora para promover a adesão celular de acordo com as condições de incubação (dependem do tipo de célula modelado) mencionado na Tabela 2. Adicionar PBS numa placa de Petri submergindo o dispositivo de PDMS. </li><li> Descasque o PDMS com cuidado para fora da placa de Petri com uma pinça e lavar o padrão com PBS. Adicionar meio de cultura de células para a placa de Petri e colocar a cultura de células na incubadora. </li></ol>

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N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Low-cost+rapid+prototyping+of+flexible+microfluidic+devices+using+a+desktop+digital+craft+cutter.">Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible microfluidic devices using a desktop digital craft cutter.</a> Lab on a Chip. 10 (3), 384-387 (2010).</li><li>Wang, L., 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=Self-loading+and+cell+culture+in+one+layer+microfluidic+devices.">Self-loading and cell culture in one layer microfluidic devices.</a> Biomed Microdevices. 11 (3), 679-684 (2009).</li><li>Feng, 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=Survival+of+mammalian+cells+under+high+vacuum+condition+for+ion+bombardment.">Survival of mammalian cells under high vacuum condition for ion bombardment.</a> Cryobiology. 49 (3), 241-249 (2004).</li><li>Haubert, K., Drier, T., Beebe, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PDMS+bonding+by+means+of+a+portable,+low-cost+corona+system.">PDMS bonding by means of a portable, low-cost corona system.</a> Lab on a Chip. 6 (12), 1548-1549 (2006).</li><li>Fan, D. -. H., Yuan, S. -. W., Shen, Y. -. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surface+modification+with+BSA+blocking+based+on+in+situ+synthesized+gold+nanoparticles+in+poly+(dimethylsiloxane)+microchip.">Surface modification with BSA blocking based on in situ synthesized gold nanoparticles in poly (dimethylsiloxane) microchip.</a> Colloids Surf, B. 75 (2), 608-611 (2010).</li><li>Hideshima, S., Sato, R., Inoue, S., Kuroiwa, S., Osaka, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+tumor+marker+in+blood+serum+using+antibody-modified+field+effect+transistor+with+optimized+BSA+blocking.">Detection of tumor marker in blood serum using antibody-modified field effect transistor with optimized BSA blocking.</a> Sens Actuator B-Chem. 161 (1), 146-150 (2012).</li><li>Zheng, 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=High-throughput+immunoassay+through+in-channel+microfluidic+patterning.">High-throughput immunoassay through in-channel microfluidic patterning.</a> Lab on a Chip. 12 (14), 2487-2490 (2012).</li><li>MacLeish, P., Barnstable, C., Townes-Anderson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+a+monoclonal+antibody+as+a+substrate+for+mature+neurons+in+vitro.">Use of a monoclonal antibody as a substrate for mature neurons in vitro.</a> Procs Nat Acad of Sci. 80 (22), 7014-7018 (1983).</li><li>Suchodolskis, 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=Elastic+properties+of+chemically+modified+baker's+yeast+cells+studied+by+AFM.">Elastic properties of chemically modified baker's yeast cells studied by AFM.</a> Surf Interface Anal. 43 (13), 1636-1640 (2011).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Enquanto fotolitografia convencional é uma técnica bem estabelecida para a realização de moldes de litografia macia, o equipamento, materiais, e as competências necessárias para utilizar fotolitografia convencional não estão prontamente disponíveis para a maioria dos laboratórios. Para laboratórios que não têm acesso a esses recursos, nós apresentamos a fabricação de fita adesiva como um método de criação de moldes com características relativamente simples para dispositivos microfluídicos. Este mét...

Em engenharia de tecidos e biosensing, a capacidade de controlar a organização espacial de proteínas e células em uma escala um, tornou-se cada vez mais importante ao longo das últimas quatro décadas 1, 2, 3. Organização espacial precisa de proteínas e células tem permitido aos pesquisadores examinar a interação entre as células e os substratos que contêm tipos semelhantes ou diferentes de células, para orientar o crescimento celular, e para imobilizar biomoléculas para a fabricação de biossensores 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Os métodos atuais de proteínas padronização incluem photopatterning e impressão microcontact. Photopatterning utiliza material sensível à luz que é reticulado por exposição a ultruma violeta (UV). Luz UV dirigida a uma fotomáscara (consistindo em áreas transparentes com regiões mais escuras para evitar a transmissão de luz UV) provoca reticulação em regiões específicas que podem então ser utilizados para a subsequente ligação de biomateriais ou células 10, 11. Embora este esquema é muito preciso e permite o controle preciso da topografia da superfície da cultura, é limitada a biomoléculas sensíveis aos raios UV, que pode ser modelado por radiação UV 12. Impressão microcontact é outro método popular de padronização proteínas específicas 13, 14. Neste método, um siloxano (PDMS) selo poli-dimetil é tratada com uma variedade de reagentes de modificação da superfície antes de ser embebido numa solução de substrato escolhido biomolecular. Em seguida, é suavemente pressionado para uma lamela de vidro ou outra superfície assim &quot;estampagem&quot; a biomolécula sobre a superfície da cultura. HoWever, estampagem se limita ao tipo de material que pode ser transferido assim como a molhabilidade de biomoléculas à superfície do PDMS selo 15. Padronização directa de células pode ser mais difícil e baseia-se em métodos de complexos, tais como substratos comutáveis, métodos com base estêncil, ou modelação com moléculas de adesão celular específicos 16, 17. Estes métodos estão limitados na sua capacidade de células de teste padrão, devido à falta de substratos de adesão celular compatíveis, a incompatibilidade do processo para o trabalho com células sensíveis biológicos e constrangimentos, inconsistência em reproduzir o padrão e a complexidade do processo. Por exemplo, substratos com comutáveis, substratos mercadorias necessitam de ser concebido para cada tipo de célula, para mudar a sua adesão a tipos específicos de células, sem a degradação por exposição à luz UV e calor usado no processo 17, &lt;<html> classe sup = &quot;xref&quot;&gt; 18, 19, 20. Estêncil métodos de padronização com base são versáteis em sua capacidade de células padrão; No entanto, é difícil fabricar matrizes PDMS nas espessuras adequadas para utilização 16, 21. injeção direta de células em canais microfluídicos PDMS tem algumas vantagens, tais como: 1) facilidade na fabricação de canais microfluídicos e 2) adequação para muitas células e diferentes substratos. No entanto, o problema predominante de captura de bolhas de ar durante o processo de injecção devido à hidrofobicidade dos PDMS sem o uso de limpeza de plasma, ou outros métodos para diminuir as bolhas de ar, faz com que seja difícil criar consistentemente células modelado sobre superfícies de vidro ou de plástico 21. Este trabalho expande micromolding capilar 22, 23,lass = &quot;refex&quot;&gt; 24, 25, 26 e relata um método para injectar suspensões de células de proteína e em microcanais. O método utilizado aqui demonstra a padronização de substratos e ambos padronização direta e indireta de tipos específicos de células. Esta técnica ultrapassa a elevada hidrofobicidade de PDMS e elimina a presença de bolhas durante a injecção quer de substratos ou células, tirando proveito da permeabilidade aos gases de PDMS 27. Este documento revela a utilização da técnica com vários substratos diferentes e tipos de células. O artigo também destaca a fabricação de moldes para litografia macia usando fotolitografia convencional, bem como um método simples e adesivo de baixo custo tape útil em recursos configurações limitadas 28, 29.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>CorelDRAW X4 CAD Drawing Tools</td>
			<td>Corel Corporation, Canada</td>
			<td>X4 Version 14.0.0.701</td>
			<td>CAD tool used to draw the layout of the microfluidic device</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser Printer HP</td>
			<td>Hewlett Packard, CA</td>
			<td>1739629</td>
			<td>Used to print the layout of microfluidic device for adhesive tape technique</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bel-Art Dessicator</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>08-594-16B</td>
			<td>Used to degass the PDMS mixture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adhesive Scotch Tape</td>
			<td>3M Product, MN</td>
			<td>Tape 600</td>
			<td>Used to fabricate adhesive tape Master</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDMS Sylgard 184</td>
			<td>Dow Corning, MI</td>
			<td>1064291</td>
			<td>Casting polymer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri Dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>08-772-23</td>
			<td>Used to keep the mold to cast with PDMS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel Scalpel (#3) with blade (# 11)</td>
			<td>Feather Safety Razor Co. Ltd. Japan</td>
			<td>2976#11</td>
			<td>Used to cut the PDMS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers</td>
			<td>Ted Pella, CA</td>
			<td>5627-07</td>
			<td>Used to handle the PDMS cast during peeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass slides</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>12-546-2</td>
			<td>Used as surface to pattern the Substrate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass slides</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>12-544-4</td>
			<td>Used as surface to pattern the Substrate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber Roller</td>
			<td>Dick Blick Art Materials, IL</td>
			<td>40104-1004</td>
			<td>Used to attach adhesive tape on glass without trapping air bubbles</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser Mask Writer</td>
			<td>Heidelberg Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>DWL66fs</td>
			<td>Used to fabricate quartz mask used in photolithography fabrication process</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EVG Mask Aligner (Photolithography UV exposure tool)</td>
			<td>EV Group, Germany</td>
			<td>EVG 620T(B)</td>
			<td>Used to expose the photoresist to UV light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spin Coater Headway</td>
			<td>Headway Research Inc, TX</td>
			<td>PWM32-PS-CB15PL</td>
			<td>Used to spin coat the photoresist on silicon wafer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Photoresists SU-8 50</td>
			<td>MicroChem, MA</td>
			<td>Y131269</td>
			<td>Negative photoresist used for mold fabrication</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SU-8 Devloper</td>
			<td>MicroChem, MA</td>
			<td>Y020100</td>
			<td>Photoresist developer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-Tetrahydrooctyl-1-Trichlorosilane</td>
			<td>UCT Specialties, PA</td>
			<td>T2492-KG</td>
			<td>Coat mold to avoid PDMS adhesion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isopropanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, MO</td>
			<td>190764</td>
			<td>Cleaning Solvent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, MO</td>
			<td>24102</td>
			<td>Sterilization Solvent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-D-Lysine hydrobromide (PDL)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, MO</td>
			<td>P0899-10MG</td>
			<td>PDL solution is made at 0.1 mg/mL in Sodium Tetraborate Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, MO</td>
			<td>L2020</td>
			<td>Laminin aliquoted into 10 &#181;L aliquots and diluted to 20 &#181;g/&#181;L in PBS prior to use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>BP1605100</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C2C12 Myoblast cell lline</td>
			<td>ATCC, VA</td>
			<td>CRL-1722</td>
			<td>Used to demonstrate C2C12 patterning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PC12 Cell Line</td>
			<td>ATCC, VA</td>
			<td>CRL-1721</td>
			<td>Used to demonstrate PC12 patterning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagen type 1, rat tail</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>40236</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>GIBCO, MA</td>
			<td>11965-084</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horse Serum, heat inactivated</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, MA</td>
			<td>26050-070</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phalloidin-tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate (TRITC)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, MO</td>
			<td>P1951</td>
			<td>To label cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcein-AM live dead cell Assay kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen, MA</td>
			<td>L-3224</td>
			<td>Cell viability Assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy Hole Punch</td>
			<td>Ted Pella, CA</td>
			<td>15110-10</td>
			<td>Punched hole in PDMS</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a versatile method of patterning proteins and cells

Substrate and cell patterning techniques are widely used in cell biology to study cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate interactions. Conventional patterning techniques work well only with simple shapes, small areas and selected bio-materials. This article describes a method to distribute cell suspensions as well as substrate solutions into complex, long, closed (dead-end) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels using negative pressure. This method enables researchers to pattern multiple substrates including fibronectin, collagen, antibodies (Sal-1), poly-D-lysine (PDL), and laminin. Patterning of substrates allows one to indirectly pattern a variety of cells. We have tested C2C12 myoblasts, the PC12 neuronal cell line, embryonic rat cortical neurons, and amphibian retinal neurons. In addition, we demonstrate that this technique can directly pattern fibroblasts in microfluidic channels via brief application of a low vacuum on cell suspensions. The low vacuum does not significantly decrease cell viability as shown by cell viability assays. Modifications are discussed for application of the method to different cell and substrate types. This technique allows researchers to pattern cells and proteins in specific patterns without the need for exotic materials or equipment and can be done in any laboratory with a vacuum.

Este método permite a padronização de proteínas e padronização indireta de células usando canais microfluídicos sem saída com dimensões tão pequenas quanto 10 mm e equipamentos disponíveis em quase todos os laboratórios biológicos uma vez que o molde mestre é feita. Esta técnica pode ser utilizada com canais microfluídicos PDMS criados usando fotolitografia suave tradicional, ou com canais microfluídicos PDMS criadas com fita adesiva de fabricação (Figura 1)</...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Versatile Method of Patterning Proteins and Cells at JoVE.com

A Versatile Method of Patterning Proteins and Cells

This report describes a simple, easy to perform technique, using low pressure vacuum, to fill microfluidic channels with cells and substrates for biological research.

Um método versátil de padronização proteínas e células

Substrate and cell patterning techniques are widely used in cell biology to study cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate interactions. Conventional patterning ...

a-versatile-method-of-patterning-proteins-and-cells

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

9.3K visualizações.  Rutgers University. This report describes a simple, easy to perform technique, using low pressure vacuum, to fill microfluidic channels with cells and substrates for biological research.

Vídeo: A Versatile Method of Patterning Proteins and Cells

Plasma Lithography Surface Patterning for Creation of Cell Networks

Systematic manipulation of a cell microenvironment with micro- and nanoscale resolution is often required for deciphering various cellular and molecular phenomena. To address this requirement, we have developed a plasma lithography technique to manipulate the cellular microenvironment by creating a patterned surface with feature sizes ranging from 100 nm to millimeters. The goal of this technique is to be able to study, in a controlled way, the behaviors of individual cells as well as groups of cells and their interactions.
This plasma lithography method is based on selective modification of the surface chemistry on a substrate by means of shielding the contact of low-temperature plasma with a physical mold. This selective shielding leaves a chemical pattern which can guide cell attachment and movement. This pattern, or surface template, can then be used to create networks of cells whose structure can mimic that found in nature and produces a controllable environment for experimental investigations. The technique is well suited to studying biological phenomenon as it produces stable surface patterns on transparent polymeric substrates in a biocompatible manner. The surface patterns last for weeks to months and can thus guide interaction with cells for long time periods which facilitates the study of long-term cellular processes, such as differentiation and adaption. The modification to the surface is primarily chemical in nature and thus does not introduce topographical or physical interference for interpretation of results. It also does not involve any harsh or toxic substances to achieve patterning and is compatible for tissue culture. Furthermore, it can be applied to modify various types of polymeric substrates, which due to the ability to tune their properties are ideal for and are widely used in biological applications. The resolution achievable is also beneficial, as isolation of specific processes such as migration, adhesion, or binding allows for discrete, clear observations at the single to multicell level.
This method has been employed to form diverse networks of different cell types for investigations involving migration, signaling, tissue formation, and the behavior and interactions of neurons arraigned in a network.

A versatile plasma lithography technique has been developed to generate stable surface patterns for guiding cellular attachment. This technique can be applied to create cell networks including those that mimic natural tissues and has been used for studying several, distinct cell types.

Padronização de plasma de superfície litografia para a Criação de Redes de celular

Systematic manipulation of a cell microenvironment with micro- and nanoscale resolution is often required for deciphering various cellular and molecular ...

Bioengenharia

Soft Lithographic Functionalization and Patterning Oxide-free Silicon and Germanium

The development of hybrid electronic devices relies in large part on the integration of (bio)organic materials and inorganic semiconductors through a stable interface that permits efficient electron transport and protects underlying substrates from oxidative degradation. Group IV semiconductors can be effectively protected with highly-ordered self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) composed of simple alkyl chains that act as impervious barriers to both organic and aqueous solutions. Simple alkyl SAMs, however, are inert and not amenable to traditional patterning techniques. The motivation for immobilizing organic molecular systems on semiconductors is to impart new functionality to the surface that can provide optical, electronic, and mechanical function, as well as chemical and biological activity. 
Microcontact printing (&mu;CP) is a soft-lithographic technique for patterning SAMs on myriad surfaces.1-9 Despite its simplicity and versatility, the approach has been largely limited to noble metal surfaces and has not been well developed for pattern transfer to technologically important substrates such as oxide-free silicon and germanium. Furthermore, because this technique relies on the ink diffusion to transfer pattern from the elastomer to substrate, the resolution of such traditional printing is essentially limited to near 1 &mu;m.10-16
In contrast to traditional printing, inkless &mu;CP patterning relies on a specific reaction between a surface-immobilized substrate and a stamp-bound catalyst. Because the technique does not rely on diffusive SAM formation, it significantly expands the diversity of patternable surfaces. In addition, the inkless technique obviates the feature size limitations imposed by molecular diffusion, facilitating replication of very small (&lt;200 nm) features.17-23 However, up till now, inkless &mu;CP has been mainly used for patterning relatively disordered molecular systems, which do not protect underlying surfaces from degradation.
Here, we report a simple, reliable high-throughput method for patterning passivated silicon and germanium with reactive organic monolayers and demonstrate selective functionalization of the patterned substrates with both small molecules and proteins. The technique utilizes a preformed NHS-reactive bilayered system on oxide-free silicon and germanium. The NHS moiety is hydrolyzed in a pattern-specific manner with a sulfonic acid-modified acrylate stamp to produce chemically distinct patterns of NHS-activated and free carboxylic acids. A significant limitation to the resolution of many &mu;CP techniques is the use of PDMS material which lacks the mechanical rigidity necessary for high fidelity transfer. To alleviate this limitation we utilized a polyurethane acrylate polymer, a relatively rigid material that can be easily functionalized with different organic moieties. Our patterning approach completely protects both silicon and germanium from chemical oxidation, provides precise control over the shape and size of the patterned features, and gives ready access to chemically discriminated patterns that can be further functionalized with both organic and biological molecules. The approach is general and applicable to other technologically-relevant surfaces.

Here we describe a simple method for patterning oxide-free silicon and germanium with reactive organic monolayers and demonstrate functionalization of the patterned substrates with small molecules and proteins. The approach completely protects surfaces from chemical oxidation, provides precise control over feature morphology, and provides ready access to chemically discriminated patterns.

Funcionalização litografia macia e livre de óxido Patterning silício e germânio

The development of hybrid electronic devices relies in large part on the integration of (bio)organic materials and inorganic semiconductors through a ...

Visualization of Cortex Organization and Dynamics in Microorganisms, using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

TIRF microscopy has emerged as a powerful imaging technology to study spatio-temporal dynamics of fluorescent molecules in vitro and in living cells1. The optical phenomenon of total internal reflection occurs when light passes from a medium with high refractive index into a medium with low refractive index at an angle larger than a characteristic critical angle (i.e. closer to being parallel with the boundary). Although all light is reflected back under such conditions, an evanescent wave is created that propagates across and along the boundary, which decays exponentially with distance, and only penetrates sample areas that are 100-200 nm near the interface2. In addition to providing superior axial resolution, the reduced excitation of out of focus fluorophores creates a very high signal to noise ratios and minimizes damaging effects of photobleaching2,3. Being a widefield technique, TIRF also allows faster image acquisition than most scanning based confocal setups.
At first glance, the low penetration depth of TIRF seems to be incompatible with imaging of bacterial and fungal cells, which are often surrounded by thick cell walls. On the contrary, we have found that the cell walls of yeast and bacterial cells actually improve the usability of TIRF and increase the range of observable structures4-8. Many cellular processes can therefore be directly accessed by TIRF in small, single-cell microorganisms, which often offer powerful genetic manipulation techniques. This allows us to perform in vivo biochemistry experiments, where kinetics of protein interactions and activities can be directly assessed in living cells.
We describe here the individual steps required to obtain high quality TIRF images for Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Bacillus subtilis cells. We point out various problems that can affect TIRF visualization of fluorescent probes in cells and illustrate the procedure with several application examples. Finally, we demonstrate how TIRF images can be further improved using established image restoration techniques.

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a powerful approach to observe structures close to the cell surface at high contrast and temporal resolution. We demonstrate how TIRF can be employed to study protein dynamics at the cortex of cell wall-enclosed bacterial and fungal cells.

Visualização de Cortex organização e dinâmica em microorganismos, utilizando microscopia de fluorescência Total Internal Reflection

TIRF microscopy has emerged as  a powerful imaging technology to study spatio-temporal dynamics of fluorescent molecules  in vitro and in living cells1. ...

A Versatile Automated Platform for Micro-scale Cell Stimulation Experiments

Study of cells in culture (in vitro analysis) has provided important insight into complex biological systems. Conventional methods and equipment for in vitro analysis are well suited to study of large numbers of cells (&ge;105) in milliliter-scale volumes (&ge;0.1 ml). However, there are many instances in which it is necessary or desirable to scale down culture size to reduce consumption of the cells of interest and/or reagents required for their culture, stimulation, or processing. Unfortunately, conventional approaches do not support precise and reproducible manipulation of micro-scale cultures, and the microfluidics-based automated systems currently available are too complex and specialized for routine use by most laboratories. To address this problem, we have developed a simple and versatile technology platform for automated culture, stimulation, and recovery of small populations of cells (100 - 2,000 cells) in micro-scale volumes (1 - 20 &mu;l). The platform consists of a set of fibronectin-coated microcapillaries ("cell perfusion chambers"), within which micro-scale cultures are established, maintained, and stimulated; a digital microfluidics (DMF) device outfitted with "transfer" microcapillaries ("central hub"), which routes cells and reagents to and from the perfusion chambers; a high-precision syringe pump, which powers transport of materials between the perfusion chambers and the central hub; and an electronic interface that provides control over transport of materials, which is coordinated and automated via pre-determined scripts. As an example, we used the platform to facilitate study of transcriptional responses elicited in immune cells upon challenge with bacteria. Use of the platform enabled us to reduce consumption of cells and reagents, minimize experiment-to-experiment variability, and re-direct hands-on labor. Given the advantages that it confers, as well as its accessibility and versatility, our platform should find use in a wide variety of laboratories and applications, and prove especially useful in facilitating analysis of cells and stimuli that are available in only limited quantities.

We have developed an automated cell culture and interrogation platform for micro-scale cell stimulation experiments. The platform offers simple, versatile, and precise control in cultivating and stimulating small populations of cells, and recovering lysates for molecular analyses. The platform is well suited to studies that use precious cells and/or reagents.

A plataforma automatizada versátil para experiências de estimulação Micro escala celulares

Study of cells in culture (in vitro analysis) has provided important insight into complex biological systems. Conventional methods and equipment for in ...

A Microfluidic Chip for the Versatile Chemical Analysis of Single Cells

We present a microfluidic device that enables the quantitative determination of intracellular biomolecules in multiple single cells in parallel. For this purpose, the cells are passively trapped in the middle of a microchamber. Upon activation of the control layer, the cell is isolated from the surrounding volume in a small chamber. The surrounding volume can then be exchanged without affecting the isolated cell. However, upon short opening and closing of the chamber, the solution in the chamber can be replaced within a few hundred milliseconds. Due to the reversibility of the chambers, the cells can be exposed to different solutions sequentially in a highly controllable fashion, e.g. for incubation, washing, and finally, cell lysis. The tightly sealed microchambers enable the retention of the lysate, minimize and control the dilution after cell lysis. Since lysis and analysis occur at the same location, high sensitivity is retained because no further dilution or loss of the analytes occurs during transport. The microchamber design therefore enables the reliable and reproducible analysis of very small copy numbers of intracellular molecules (attomoles, zeptomoles) released from individual cells. Furthermore, many microchambers can be arranged in an array format, allowing the analysis of many cells at once, given that suitable optical instruments are used for monitoring. We have already used the platform for proof-of-concept studies to analyze intracellular proteins, enzymes, cofactors and second messengers in either relative or absolute quantifiable manner.

In this article we present a microfluidic chip for single cell analysis. It allows the quantification of intracellular proteins, enzymes, cofactors, and second messengers by means of fluorescent assays or immunoassays.&#160;

Um chip microfluídico para a Versátil Análise Química de células individuais

We present a microfluidic device that enables the quantitative determination of intracellular biomolecules in multiple single cells in parallel. For this ...

Cell Patterning on Photolithographically Defined 
Parylene-C: SiO2 Substrates

Cell patterning platforms support broad research goals, such as construction of predefined in vitro neuronal networks and the exploration of certain central aspects of cellular physiology. To easily combine cell patterning with Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) and silicon-based &#8216;lab on a chip&#8217; technologies, a microfabrication-compatible protocol is required. We describe a method that utilizes deposition of the polymer parylene-C on SiO2&#160;wafers. Photolithography enables accurate and reliable patterning of parylene-C at micron-level resolution. Subsequent activation by immersion in fetal bovine serum (or another specific activation solution) results in a substrate in which cultured cells adhere to, or are repulsed by, parylene or SiO2 regions respectively. This technique has allowed patterning of a broad range of cell types (including primary murine hippocampal cells, HEK 293 cell line, human neuron-like teratocarcinoma cell line, primary murine cerebellar granule cells, and primary human glioma-derived stem-like cells). Interestingly, however, the platform is not universal; reflecting the importance of cell-specific adhesion molecules. This cell patterning process is cost effective, reliable, and importantly can be incorporated into standard microfabrication (chip manufacturing) protocols, paving the way for integration of microelectronic technology.

Cell Patterning on Photolithographically Defined 
Parylene-C: SiO2 Substrates

This protocol describes a microfabrication-compatible method for cell patterning on SiO2. A predefined parylene-C design is photolithographically printed on SiO2 wafers. Following incubation with serum (or other activation solution) cells adhere specifically to (and grow according to the conformity of) underlying parylene-C, whilst being repulsed by SiO2 regions.

Padronização celular em photolithographically Definido Parylene-C: SiO<sub&gt; 2</sub&gt; Substratos

Cell patterning platforms support broad research goals, such as construction of predefined in vitro neuronal networks and the exploration of certain ...

Delivery of Proteins, Peptides or Cell-impermeable Small Molecules into Live Cells by Incubation with the Endosomolytic Reagent dfTAT

Macromolecular delivery strategies typically utilize the endocytic pathway as a route of cellular entry. However, endosomal entrapment severely limits the efficiency with which macromolecules penetrate the cytosolic space of cells. Recently, we have circumvented this problem by identifying the reagent dfTAT, a disulfide bond dimer of the peptide TAT labeled with the fluorophore tetramethylrhodamine. We have generated a fluorescently labeled dimer of the prototypical cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) TAT, dfTAT, which penetrates live cells and reaches the cytosolic space of cells with a particularly high efficiency. Cytosolic delivery of dfTAT is achieved in multiple cell lines, including primary cells. Moreover, delivery does not noticeably impact cell viability, proliferation or gene expression. dfTAT can deliver small molecules, peptides, antibodies, biologically active enzymes and a transcription factor. In this report, we describe the protocols involved in dfTAT synthesis and cellular delivery. The manuscript describes how to control the amount of protein delivered to the cytosolic space of cells by varying the amount of protein administered extracellularly. Finally, the current limitations of this new technology and steps involved in validating delivery are discussed. The described protocols should be extremely useful for cell-based assays as well as for the ex vivo manipulation and reprogramming of cells.

We describe how to deliver proteins and cell-impermeable small molecules into cultured mammalian cells by a simple co-incubation protocol with a reagent that causes endocytic organelles to become leaky.

Entrega de proteínas, peptídeos ou célula-impermeável Pequenas moléculas em células vivas por incubação com o Endosomolytic Reagente dfTAT

Macromolecular delivery strategies typically utilize the endocytic pathway as a route of cellular entry. However, endosomal entrapment severely limits the ...

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 particular implementation of the MFP, the hierarchical hydrodynamic flow confinement (hHFC), multiple liquids are simultaneously brought in contact with a substrate. Local chemical action and liquid shaping using the hHFC, is exploited to create cell patterns by locally lysing and removing cells. By utilizing the scanning ability of the MFP, user-defined patterns of cell monolayers are created. This protocol enables rapid, real-time and spatially controlled cell patterning, which can allow selective cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction studies.

We present a protocol to perform subtractive patterning of live cell monolayers on a surface. This is achieved by local and selective lysis of adherent cells using a microfluidic probe (MFP). The cell lysate retrieved from local regions can be used for downstream analysis, enabling molecular profiling studies.

Padronização Subtractive rápida de camadas de células vivas com uma Probe microfluídicos

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

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Click chemistries have been investigated for use in numerous biomaterials applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell culture. In particular, light-mediated click reactions, such as photoinitiated thiol&#8722;ene and thiol&#8722;yne reactions, afford spatiotemporal control over material properties and allow the design of systems with a high degree of user-directed property control. Fabrication and modification of hydrogel-based biomaterials using the precision afforded by light and the versatility offered by these thiol&#8722;X photoclick chemistries are of growing interest, particularly for the culture of cells within well-defined, biomimetic microenvironments. Here, we describe methods for the photoencapsulation of cells and subsequent photopatterning of biochemical cues within hydrogel matrices using versatile and modular building blocks polymerized by a thiol&#8722;ene photoclick reaction. Specifically, an approach is presented for constructing hydrogels from allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc)-functionalized peptide crosslinks and pendant peptide moieties and thiol-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) that rapidly polymerize in the presence of lithium acylphosphinate photoinitiator and cytocompatible doses of long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light. Facile techniques to visualize photopatterning and quantify the concentration of peptides added are described. Additionally, methods are established for encapsulating cells, specifically human mesenchymal stem cells, and determining their viability and activity. While the formation and initial patterning of thiol-alloc hydrogels are shown here, these techniques broadly may be applied to a number of other light and radical-initiated material systems (e.g., thiol-norbornene, thiol-acrylate) to generate patterned substrates.

We describe a sequential process for light-mediated formation and subsequent biochemical patterning of synthetic hydrogel matrices for three-dimensional cell culture applications. The construction and modification of hydrogels with cytocompatible photoclick chemistry is demonstrated. Additionally, facile techniques to quantify and observe patterns and determine cell viability within these hydrogels are presented.

Formação Light-mediada e padronização de hidrogéis para aplicações de cultura celular

Click chemistries have been investigated for use in numerous biomaterials applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell culture. In ...

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

There are many biological stimuli that can influence cell behavior and stem cell differentiation. General cell culture approaches rely on soluble factors within the medium to control cell behavior. However, soluble additions cannot mimic certain signaling motifs, such as matrix-bound growth factors, cell-cell signaling, and spatial biochemical cues, which are common influences on cells. Furthermore, biophysical properties of the matrix, such as substrate stiffness, play important roles in cell fate, which is not easily manipulated using conventional cell culturing practices. In this method, we describe a straightforward protocol to provide patterned bioactive proteins on synthetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels using photochemistry. This platform allows for the independent control of substrate stiffness and spatial biochemical cues. These hydrogels can achieve a large range of physiologically relevant stiffness values. Additionally, the surfaces of these hydrogels can be photopatterned with bioactive peptides or proteins via thiol-ene click chemistry reactions. These methods have been optimized to retain protein function after surface immobilization. This is a versatile protocol that can be applied to any protein or peptide of interest to create a variety of patterns. Finally, cells seeded onto the surfaces of these bioactive hydrogels can be monitored over time as they respond to spatially specific signals.

In this method, we use photopolymerization and click chemistry techniques to create protein or peptide patterns on the surface of polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels, providing immobilized bioactive signals for the study of cellular responses in vitro.

Padronização bioativas proteínas ou peptídeos em hidrogel usando fotoquímica para aplicações biológicas

There are many biological stimuli that can influence cell behavior and stem cell differentiation. General cell culture approaches rely on soluble factors ...