Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
11:54
Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles
Published on: March 13, 2017
9.7K
A Multiplexed Microfluidic Platform toward Interrogating Endocrine Function: Simultaneous Sensing of Extracellular
Weikun Huang1,2,3, Tongzhi Wu3,4, Aliaa Shallan5,6
1Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, School of Physical Sciences , University of Adelaide , Adelaide , South Australia 5005 , Australia.
ACS Sensors
|January 16, 2020
Summary
This study developed a microfluidic platform to simultaneously measure extracellular calcium (Ca2+) and hormones. This innovation allows for precise monitoring of cellular communication in a biomimetic environment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Cellular Physiology
Background:
- Extracellular calcium (Ca2+) regulates critical physiological functions like hormone secretion.
- Simultaneous, high-resolution measurement of extracellular Ca2+ and bioactive molecules is challenging.
- Understanding Ca2+ dynamics is crucial for endocrine tissue function and disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multiplexed microfluidic platform for concurrent monitoring of extracellular Ca2+ and hormones.
- To enable dynamic measurements in a biomimetic environment with high accuracy and temporal resolution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a low-affinity fluorescent indicator, Rhod-5N, for sensitive Ca2+ detection.
- Designed a microfluidic chip for immobilizing microscale biological samples.
- Integrated fluorescence measurement and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for multiplexed analysis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the platform's ability to quantify dynamic changes in Ca2+ (0.2-2 mM) and insulin (15-150 mU L-1) concurrently.
- Achieved high temporal resolution in measurements.
- Validated the system's performance with biomedical samples like human serum and cell culture medium.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic platform enables simultaneous, high-resolution monitoring of extracellular Ca2+ and hormones.
- This technology offers a powerful tool to investigate the role of Ca2+ in endocrine secretion.
- Potential for identifying novel therapeutic targets for diseases related to endocrine dysfunction.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Endocrine Signaling
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
01:08Intracellular Hormone Receptors
Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell