Using Microfluidic Devices to Measure Lifespan and Cellular Phenotypes in Single Budding Yeast Cells

Area of Science:

• Aging research
• Model organisms
• Cellular and molecular biology

Background:

• Budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a key model organism for aging research.
• Genetic studies have identified conserved lifespan-affecting genes, but molecular aging mechanisms remain unclear.
• High-throughput methods are needed to study yeast aging at the single-cell level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a method for preparing microfluidic chips and conducting experiments for yeast aging research.
• To enable systematic understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying yeast aging.
• To facilitate high-throughput measurement of lifespan and cellular phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microfluidic devices to track budding yeast mother cells throughout their lifespan.
• Developed a method for preparing microfluidic chips and setting up experiments.
• Enabled simultaneous tracking of multiple cell populations and high-resolution imaging.

Main Results:

• The microfluidic method allows for detailed characterization of single-cell lifespan, molecular markers, morphology, and cell cycle dynamics.
• The device can track hundreds of cells per channel with high accuracy.
• Fresh mother cells can be trapped and identified for precise lifespan measurements.

Conclusions:

• The presented microfluidic method offers a powerful tool for high-throughput yeast aging research.
• This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the molecular causes of aging and death.
• The technique allows for accurate and detailed analysis of cellular phenotypes across the lifespan.