A microfluidic device based on gravity and electric force driving for flow cytometry and fluorescence activated cell...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Traditional cell sorting methods face limitations in throughput and precision.
• Microfluidic systems offer potential for high-throughput, precise cell manipulation.
• Understanding cell behavior under combined physical forces is crucial for advanced cell sorting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel microfluidic system for cell sorting using gravity and electric forces.
• To investigate the dynamics of single cells within microchannels under these forces.
• To apply the developed system for assessing cellular damage induced by ultraviolet radiation.

Main Methods:

• A microfluidic chip system was designed utilizing gravity and electric fields for cell manipulation.
• Cells flowed spontaneously under gravity, then entered an electric field for sorting.
• A physical and numerical module based on Newton's Law of motion was established to analyze cell dynamics.
• Hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) was used to prevent cell aggregation and adhesion.

Main Results:

• The system achieved spontaneous cell flow and individual cell entry into the sorting region at 0.55 mm/s.
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was successfully performed using a switch-off activation program.
• The study demonstrated the system's capability to estimate UV-induced necrosis and apoptosis in HeLa cells.
• UV radiation exposure correlated with increased membrane damage, apoptosis, and necrosis.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic system provides an effective platform for gravity and electric force-driven cell sorting.
• The system accurately assesses cellular responses, such as UV-induced damage, apoptosis, and necrosis.
• This approach holds promise for advanced cell analysis and biological studies in microfluidic environments.