Optimizing Cell Trapping in Pneumatic Channel Integrated Transparent Micronozzle Array for High-throughput 3D Cell Assembly

抄録

We developed a micronozzle array integrated with a pneumatic channel that can isolate, encapsulate, and eject single cells in droplets with high throughput for applications such as 3D cell assembly and single cell level co-culture. The device consists of 3 layers namely Pneumatic channel, Variable PDMS Membrane, and Cell Channel. Cell solution is introduced into the Cell channel and cells are trapped in specific chambers. These cells can then be ejected by varying the pressure in the Pneumatic channel. Through initial experimentation, we achieved a cell trapping efficiency of 50% (Single cells trapped in 5/10 chambers of the nozzle array) and cell capture rate of 6%. This study is aimed at optimizing the cell trapping phenomena in the micronozzle array to improve the cell trapping and yield better results. Cell were trapped at an efficiency of 90% after making changes in the cell channel design and were captured at a rate of 25%.