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A Microfluidic Device for Studying Multiple Distinct Strains
Published on: November 9, 2012
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A microfluidic device to sort cells based on dynamic response to a stimulus
Swee Jin Tan1, Michelle Z L Kee, Ajay Sriram Mathuru
1Microfluidics Systems Biology Lab, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore.
Plos One
|November 20, 2013
Summary
This study introduces a microfluidic device for analyzing single-cell responses to ligands, enabling targeted gene expression profiling. This technology aids in understanding cellular differences by linking function to transcription.
Area of Science:
- Single-cell analysis
- Molecular biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Studying average cell populations obscures individual cellular properties.
- Linking gene expression to phenotypic variations requires single-cell functional and transcriptional analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a microfluidic device for monitoring single-cell responses to ligands.
- To enable subsequent transcriptional profiling of selected cells.
Main Methods:
- A microfluidic device was used to monitor single-cell responses.
- Zebrafish olfactory epithelium cells were screened using calcium imaging for odorant response.
- Responsive single cells were isolated for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Main Results:
- The device successfully identified single olfactory neurons responsive to L-lysine.
- Responsive neurons expressed TRPC2 and not OMP, aligning with known amino acid-sensitive neuron characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic device effectively links cellular signaling responses to transcriptional profiles.
- This technology is adaptable for sorting and analyzing cells based on signaling in various biological fields.
