A Microfluidic-Based Microscopy Platform for Continuous Interrogation of Trypanosoma brucei during Environmental...

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Microfluidics
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• African trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei) cause human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).
• Studying parasite adaptation to environmental cues requires advanced imaging techniques.
• High motility of trypanosomes poses challenges for single-cell analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt commercial microfluidic devices for trapping and analyzing motile African trypanosomes.
• To enable rapid buffer exchange and single-cell imaging of trypanosomes under varying environmental conditions.
• To investigate parasite responses to glucose availability changes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a commercial microfluidic device, typically for bacteria, to trap bloodstream and procyclic form trypanosomes.
• Implemented rapid perfusion for controlled environmental changes around trapped parasites.
• Performed time-lapse single-cell microscopy and tracking during perfusion experiments.

Main Results:

• Successfully trapped and perfused both bloodstream and procyclic form trypanosomes.
• Acquired high-resolution, time-lapse images of parasites responding to environmental variations.
• Demonstrated the ability to track parasite responses to glucose concentration changes and measure intracellular glucose levels.

Conclusions:

• Commercial microfluidic devices offer a accessible tool for studying motile parasites like trypanosomes.
• This method facilitates detailed analysis of parasite adaptation mechanisms to nutrient availability.
• The findings advance our understanding of kinetoplastid adaptation to diverse biological niches.