A fast microfluidic temperature control device for studying microtubule dynamics in fission yeast

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Soft lithography and microfluidics offer advanced tools for controlling the cellular microenvironment.
• Rapid temperature shifts are crucial for studying cellular responses, particularly in model organisms like fission yeast.
• The microtubule cytoskeleton in fission yeast is sensitive to temperature, making it ideal for such studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and demonstrate a microfluidic device for rapid, reversible temperature control in cellular studies.
• To enable high-resolution imaging of dynamic cellular processes under precisely controlled temperature conditions.
• To investigate temperature-dependent microtubule dynamics in fission yeast.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a novel microfluidic device using soft lithography.
• Implementation of a system for rapid temperature cycling between 2°C and 50°C.
• High-resolution live-cell imaging of microtubule dynamics in fission yeast.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication and validation of the microfluidic temperature control device.
• Demonstration of rapid and reversible temperature changes (2°C to 50°C) around cells.
• High-resolution visualization of microtubule dynamics in fission yeast under dynamic temperature conditions.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic device provides a powerful tool for precise cellular temperature control.
• This technology facilitates the study of temperature-sensitive cellular processes, such as microtubule dynamics.
• The system is valuable for genetic studies using temperature-sensitive mutants and for understanding cytoskeleton behavior.