On-Chip Open Microfluidic Devices for Chemotaxis Studies

Abstract

Microfluidic devices can provide unique control over both the chemoattractant gradient and the migration environment of the cells. Our work incorporates laser-machined micro and nanofluidic channels into bulk fused silica and cover slip-sized silica wafers. We have designed “open” chemotaxis devices that produce passive chemoattractant gradients without an external micropipette system. Since the migration area is unobstructed, cells can be easily loaded and strategically placed into the devices with a standard micropipette. The reusable monolithic glass devices have integral ports that can generate multiple gradients in a single experiment. We also used cover slip microfluidics for chemotaxis assays. Passive gradients elicited from these cover slips could be readily adapted for high throughput chemotaxis assays.We have also demonstrated for the first time that cells can be recruited into cover slip ports eliciting passive chemoattractant gradients. This proves, in principle, that intravital cover slip configurations could deliver controlled amounts of drugs, chemicals, or pathogens as well as recruit cells for proteomic or histological analysis in living animals while under microscopic observation. Intravital cover slip fluidics will create a new paradigm for in vivo observation of biological processes.