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Published on: April 4, 2013
Generating multiplex gradients of biomolecules for controlling cellular adhesion in parallel microfluidic channels
Tohid Fatanat Didar1, Maryam Tabrizian
1Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
Lab on a Chip
|August 22, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a microfluidic platform for creating multiplexed biomolecule gradients with diverse profiles. The technology enables precise surface patterning for cell adhesion studies, advancing microfluidic gradient generation.
Area of Science:
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Generating controlled gradients of biomolecules is crucial for studying cellular responses.
- Existing methods often lack the ability to create multiplexed gradients with defined profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic platform capable of generating multiplexed concentration gradients of biomolecules with tunable profile shapes.
- To demonstrate the covalent functionalization of these gradients onto microchannel surfaces for stable cell adhesion assays.
Main Methods:
- A microfluidic device with parallel channels of varying hydrodynamic resistance was designed.
- Multiplexed nonlinear polynomial gradients of biomolecules (IgG antibody, REDV, KRSR peptides) were generated.
- Covalent surface functionalization was performed, and gradient stability under shear stress was tested.
Main Results:
- The platform successfully generated simultaneous multiplexed concentration gradients with different profile shapes.
- Covalently functionalized surface gradients remained stable under high shear stress (50 dyn/cm²).
- The device demonstrated the ability to create 2D gradients and was used to study human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic platform offers a versatile tool for generating complex, multiplexed biomolecule surface gradients.
- This technology facilitates precise control over the cellular microenvironment for advanced cell adhesion studies.
- The platform has significant potential for applications in tissue engineering and drug discovery.
