ElectroTaxis-on-a-Chip (ETC): an integrated quantitative high-throughput screening platform for electrical...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Electrical stimulation influences cellular functions like migration.
• Electrical field (EF)-directed cell migration (electrotaxis) shows promise for wound healing.
• Current electrotaxis setups are cumbersome and lack high-throughput capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, independently operable microfluidic platform for high-throughput electrotaxis studies.
• To develop a systematic approach for generating EF gradients using microfluidics.
• To enable quantitative screening of EF-directed cell migration.

Main Methods:

• Developed the ElectroTaxis-on-a-Chip (ETC) platform, a compact microfluidic device.
• Designed an expandable EF gradient generator inspired by R-2R resistor ladder topology.
• Utilized a vacuum-assisted assembly for reversible device attachment.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated high-throughput screening of human cornea epithelial cell migration under varying EF gradients.
• Successfully identified the EF-sensitive range for cornea epithelial cell migration.
• The ETC platform integrates all necessary components for EF stimulation on a small footprint.

Conclusions:

• The ETC platform offers a streamlined approach for electrotaxis research.
• This technology facilitates quantitative analysis of EF-directed cell migration.
• Findings provide guidance for clinical applications of EF-enhanced wound healing.