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A Microfluidic Platform for High-throughput Single-cell Isolation and Culture
Published on: June 16, 2016
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Low cost microfluidic cell culture array using normally closed valves for cytotoxicity assay
Godfrey Pasirayi1, Simon M Scott1, Meez Islam1
1School of Science and Engineering, Teesside University, Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, United Kingdom.
Talanta
|August 17, 2014
Summary
A new, low-cost microfluidic device enables high-throughput screening of anti-cancer drugs. This reusable cell culture array device facilitates precise drug gradient generation and combinatorial screening with minimal reagents.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- High-throughput screening (HTS) is crucial for identifying effective chemotherapeutic compounds.
- Existing HTS methods can be costly and require specialized equipment.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for miniaturized, cost-effective cell-based assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reusable, low-cost microfluidic cell culture array device (MCCAD) for screening chemotherapeutic compounds.
- To integrate a concentration gradient generator (cGG) and microchamber arrays for precise drug delivery.
- To demonstrate the device's utility in cytotoxicity assays and combinatorial drug screening.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a three-layer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) MCCAD with pneumatically actuated microvalves.
- Novel membrane fabrication using PDMS self-assembly for reliable valve actuation.
- Demonstration of particle and cell flow through valves without blockage or leakage.
- Quantitative cell-based cytotoxicity assays using MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines.
- Sequential drug combinatorial screening with paclitaxel and aspirin, analyzed using the Bliss independence model.
Main Results:
- The MCCAD was successfully fabricated and assembled using standard laboratory equipment.
- Microvalves reliably actuated, allowing passage of cells and particles without contamination.
- The device accurately assessed cytotoxicity of pyocyanine and toxic effects on HepG2 cells.
- Combinatorial screening of paclitaxel and aspirin showed reasonable agreement with the Bliss independence model for drug interaction.
Conclusions:
- The developed MCCAD is a robust, portable, and easily fabricated low-cost platform for cell culture and drug screening.
- The device enables high-throughput screening of anti-cancer compounds with minimal reagent consumption.
- This microfluidic approach facilitates quantitative cell-based assays and combinatorial drug evaluations.
