Measuring Sticking Force of Living Cells on Si Substrate with a Micro Fluidic Channel

Abstract

Adhesion of organic material on channel walls is problematic in micro bio devices. There are many studies to inhibit adhesion of cells or to utilize specific adsorption such as antigen-antibody reaction. However, there are not many quantitative data on such adhesion. In this study, we prepared a simple microfluidic channel where laminar flow can be kept. In the channel, adherent cells on channel walls were stripped off by buffer solution flow. From the velocity of the solution flow, adhesive forces were estimated. Several substrates with different surface treatment were prepared, and Deep-RIE machined substrate surfaces showed smaller adhesive force compared to mirror polished surfaces.