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A Microfabricated Sandwiching Assay for Nanoliter and High-Throughput Biomarker Screening
Praveen Bandaru1,2, Dafeng Chu1,2, Wujin Sun1,2
1Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 19, 2019
Summary
A novel micropillar and microwell array chip (MIMIC) platform enables sensitive, real-time monitoring of biomarker secretion from few cells. This high-throughput assay significantly reduces cell and volume requirements compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cellular secretions are crucial for understanding immunology and clinical diagnostics.
- Current biomarker screening methods face limitations in low-volume and real-time analysis.
- Developing sensitive, high-throughput assays for cell secretions is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel micropillar and microwell array chip (MIMIC) platform for monitoring biomarker secretion from cancer cells.
- To demonstrate the platform's capability for sensitive, low-volume, and real-time analysis.
- To evaluate the MIMIC platform as a drug screening tool.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a micropillar array integrated with a microwell array for localized cell culture.
- Employed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) mechanism on the micropillars for biomolecule detection.
- Monitored interleukin 8 (IL-8) secretion from cancer cells in nanoliter volumes.
- Integrated drug delivery via micropillars and microfluidics for drug screening.
Main Results:
- The MIMIC platform achieved sensitive detection of IL-8 secretion.
- Real-time monitoring of cell secretions was demonstrated with nanoliter volumes.
- Results from MIMIC assays correlated well with conventional ELISA.
- The platform required significantly fewer cells and lower volumes than traditional methods.
- The MIMIC platform showed potential as a drug screening tool.
Conclusions:
- The MIMIC platform offers a highly sensitive, efficient, and low-volume method for monitoring cellular biomarker secretion.
- This technology advances cell-based assays and biomarker discovery.
- The MIMIC platform holds promise for high-throughput drug screening applications in cancer research.
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