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High-throughput cell and spheroid mechanics in virtual fluidic channels
Muzaffar H Panhwar1,2, Fabian Czerwinski1, Venkata A S Dabbiru1,2
1Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
Nature Communications
|May 6, 2020
Summary
Virtual fluidic channels offer a rapid, flexible alternative to soft lithography microfluidics for biophysics research. This method enables quick rheological studies of biological samples, revealing insights into cellular mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Life Science Research
- Soft Lithography
Background:
- Microfluidics via soft lithography is crucial for biophysics and life science.
- Modifications to soft lithography devices are time-consuming and require specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce virtual fluidic channels as a flexible and robust alternative to traditional microfluidic devices.
- Enable rapid, 3D tailoring of fluidic systems for rheological studies.
Main Methods:
- Developed virtual fluidic channels within glass cuvettes.
- Utilized liquid-bound systems for rheological measurements.
- Applied simple linear models to calculate rheological parameters from hydrodynamic stress and strain.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that the liquid-liquid interface induces hydrodynamic stress on confined samples.
- Successfully performed high-throughput rheology within a flow cytometer cuvette.
- Showed that isolated cells have a Young's modulus one order of magnitude higher than their corresponding tissue.
Conclusions:
- Virtual fluidic channels provide a versatile and efficient method for rheological analysis of biological samples.
- This technique facilitates rapid characterization of cellular mechanics.
- Highlights significant differences in mechanical properties between isolated cells and tissues.
