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Published on: May 4, 2012
Optical injection of mammalian cells using a microfluidic platform.
Biomedical Optics Express
|January 25, 2011
Summary
This study introduces a microfluidic system for high-throughput cell membrane poration (photoporation) and optical injection. The automated system enables rapid, large-scale delivery of substances into thousands of cells per hour.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Photoporation uses lasers to create temporary pores in cell membranes for substance delivery.
- Current methods are low-throughput, limiting applications to single-cell studies.
- Automated, high-throughput methods are needed for broader cell-based research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic system for high-throughput, automated optical injection of cells.
- To increase the efficiency and scalability of photoporation techniques.
- To enable integration of photoporation with microfluidic cell analysis platforms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hydrodynamic focusing to align single-file cells in a microfluidic channel.
- Employed a focused femtosecond laser for precise photoporation of cell membranes.
- Automated the process for continuous cell dosing and substance delivery.
Main Results:
- Achieved an automated cell processing rate of 1 cell/sec, enabling thousands of cells per hour.
- Demonstrated 42% ± 8% propidium iodide injection efficiency in HEK293 cells.
- Confirmed 28% ± 4% viability post-injection using Calcein AM staining.
Conclusions:
- The microfluidic photoporation system significantly enhances throughput and automation for optical injection.
- This technology facilitates large-scale cell-based assays, drug screening, and genetic manipulation.
- Paves the way for integrating photoporation with advanced microfluidic cell analysis and culture systems.
