On-chip lysis of mammalian cells through a handheld corona device

On-chip lysis is required in many lab-on-chip applications involving cell studies. In these applications, the complete disruption of the cellular membrane and a high lysis yield is essential. Here, we present a novel approach to lyse cells on-chip through the application of electric discharges from a corona handheld device. The method only requires a microfluidic chip and a low-cost corona device. We demonstrate the effective lysis of BHK and eGFP HCT 116 cells in the sub-second time range using an embedded microelectrode. We also show cell lysis of non-adherent K562 leukemia cells without the use of an electrode in the chip. Cell lysis has been assessed through the use of bright-field microscopy, high-speed imaging and cell-viability fluorescence probes. The experimental results show effective cell lysis without any bubble formation or significant heating. Due to the simplicity of both the components involved and the lysis procedure, this technique offers an inexpensive lysis option with the potential for integration into lab-on-a-chip devices.