細胞アッセイに向けたマイクロ流体プローブ集積型デバイスの開発

抄録

In this study, we have developed a novel microfluidic device to control a local chemical stimulation area in cell culture spaces toward cell-based assays. The device consists of a cell culture channel and microfluidic probe (MFP) channels which are possible to control chemical stimulation area. The device has been evaluated by a fluidic simulation using Finite Element Method (FEM) and a flow control experiments. The stimulation areas using the device were evaluated by fluidic simulation and controlling the flow ratio of the injection/suction. The results showed that precision control of stimulation area was possible by regulating the flow ratio, as well as the simulation. In addition, cell staining experiment was demonstrated to confirm potential of the device. As a result, only cells nearby tiny chemical stimulation area indicated by the fluidic simulation result were stained by the proposed method. We conclude that the proposed device can be a powerful tool for biological applications such as the differentiation control of pluripotent stem cells and other cells signaling studies.