An electrostatic microwell-based biochip for phytoplanktonic cell trapping

A simple microwell-based microfluidic chip for microalgal cells trapping was fabricated. An electrostaticcell trapping mechanism, enabled by a positively charged glass surface, was used. The chip was capable of capturing multiple algal cell types. In the case of filamentous Spirulina platensis, we observed single filament occupancy of up to ∼30% available wells, as high as some previously proposed methods. Captured filaments were not of any preferential size, suggesting well randomized cell trapping. It was found that the electrostatic attraction did not affect the cell growth. Total replacement of liquid inside the wells could be achieved by pumping new solutions via the inlet, making single cell experiments in controlled chemical conditions possible. After the top layer of the chip was removed, cells in the wells could be simply transferred using a micropipette, turning the chip into a platform for strain selection.