3D printed microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device for fiber-based dual beam optical manipulation

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Optical Tweezers
• 3D Printing

Background:

• Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices are crucial for rapid prototyping.
• 3D printing offers a method for creating complex microfluidic structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a 3D printed lab-on-a-chip for fiber-based dual beam optical manipulation.
• To evaluate the device's performance in optical trapping and cell elasticity measurements.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D printed microfluidic chip with optimized fiber channels, an optically clear window, and a hydrodynamic focusing sample channel.
• Implementation of on-chip, fiber-based optical trapping of microscopic particles and trap stiffness measurements.
• Optical stretching of MCF-7 cells to study the effects of pyrichalasin H on cell elasticity.

Main Results:

• The 3D printed chip successfully enabled precise alignment of optical fibers and visualization of the trapping region.
• Hydrodynamic focusing and particle concentration were achieved using a square zig-zag structure in the sample channel.
• Distinct changes in MCF-7 cell deformability were observed after treatment with pyrichalasin H, indicating altered cell elasticity.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices provide a cost-effective and customizable platform for optical manipulation applications.
• The developed device is suitable for studying particle behavior and cellular mechanics.
• This technology facilitates research into the effects of chemical compounds on cell elasticity.