Hydrodynamic micromanipulation of individual cells onto patterned attachment sites on biomicroelectromechanical...

We report on a simple methodology to move selected single live cells to a desired location on a flat substrate, such as a patterned biomicroelectromechanical system chip. A macroscopic syringe-and-tube-based hydrodynamic manipulation system is used to achieve controlled cell navigation onto hydrophilic sites for cell attachment. Centimeter-per-second flow velocities generated by the system get downgraded to micrometers-per-second flow at the height of settled cells as a result of viscous flow in the medium. By pushing/pulling two syringes that produce two orthogonal flows, fine manipulation in any horizontal direction is feasible. After attachment of the desired cell(s) onto the selected hydrophilic site, all other unwanted cells are washed away from the surrounding hydrophobic surface with faster flow. This simple methodology is applicable for rapid cell pattern formation with high precision.