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Transfection in perfused microfluidic cell culture devices: A case study
William Raimes1, Mathieu Rubi1, Alexandre Super1
1Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH, United Kingdom.
Process Biochemistry (Barking, London, England)
|October 10, 2017
Summary
Automated microfluidic devices enhance induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derivation by integrating transfection and culture. This novel approach improves transfection efficiency for cell reprogramming and gene therapy applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Therapy
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Automated microfluidic devices offer potential for point-of-care autologous cell therapy.
- Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derivation requires transfection and long-term cell culture.
- Integrating these steps can reduce costs and device footprint for cell reprogramming and gene correction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate automated transfection with a perfused microfluidic device for whole-process compatibility.
- To achieve homogeneous culture conditions within the microfluidic device.
- To improve the efficiency and viability of cell culture post-transfection.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of the injection process using fluorescein.
- Development of a LabVIEW-based routine for user-defined automation.
- Chemical transfection of a GFP plasmid into mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) within the microfluidic device.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated proof-of-concept for automated transfection in a microfluidic system.
- Achieved a transfection efficiency of 34% in the microfluidic device, compared to 17.2% with standard protocols.
- Validated the compatibility of automated transfection with long-term cell culture conditions.
Conclusions:
- This study presents a significant advancement towards microfluidic processing systems for cell reprogramming and gene therapy.
- The integrated approach enhances transfection efficiency, paving the way for more accessible cell therapies.
- Further development of these automated microfluidic systems holds promise for future therapeutic applications.
