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A Microfluidic Platform for High-throughput Single-cell Isolation and Culture
Published on: June 16, 2016
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Centrifugal microfluidic platform for single-cell level cardiomyocyte-based drug profiling and screening
W Espulgar1, W Aoki, T Ikeuchi
1Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. wilfred@ap.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp tamiya@ap.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp.
Lab on a Chip
|July 29, 2015
Summary
This study introduces a microfluidic chip for single-cell drug screening, enabling detailed analysis of cardiomyocyte function. The platform allows for non-invasive, long-term monitoring and drug effect assessment, improving drug discovery processes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Drug Discovery Technologies
Background:
- Drug profiling is crucial but often limited by technical skill and cost, leading to potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
- Existing methods for cardiomyocyte drug screening may lack the resolution for single-cell analysis or long-term monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and operate a novel microfluidic chip for single-cell level drug screening and profiling of cardiomyocytes.
- To establish a non-invasive platform for observing cellular dynamics and contractile characteristics over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized centrifugation to trap neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (single and groups) on a microfluidic chip.
- Employed off-spin operation for microscopy and video recording of cell beating, analyzed via image correlation for contractile profiles.
- Implemented capillary flow for media exchange, enabling long-term, non-invasive monitoring and immunostaining.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated long-term continuous monitoring of cell growth and dynamics within the chip.
- Quantified contractile characteristics (beating rate, strength, inter-beat duration) of cardiomyocytes.
- Validated the chip's response to carbachol and isoproterenol, and confirmed immunostaining applicability.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic chip offers a viable, non-invasive alternative for single-cell drug screening and profiling of cardiomyocytes.
- This platform facilitates improved understanding of cellular dynamics and drug effects, aiding future lab-on-a-chip device development.
