3D Biomimetic Chips for Cancer Cell Migration in Nanometer-Sized Spaces Using "Ship-in-a-Bottle" Femtosecond Laser...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Research
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Cancer cell migration in confined spaces is crucial for metastasis.
• Understanding cell deformation and molecular events during migration is vital for tumor progression.
• Existing methods lack the resolution to study cell behavior in sub-micron constrictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel biochip for evaluating cancer cell migration in confined spaces.
• To investigate the morphology changes and migration mechanisms of prostate cancer cells in 3D nanostructured environments.
• To utilize advanced fabrication techniques for creating biomimetic microenvironments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a closed glass microfluidic chip with 3D polymer nanostructures using "ship-in-a-bottle" femtosecond laser processing.
• Application of spatial light modulator for wavefront correction to enhance fabrication resolution.
• Integration of polymeric channels with widths of approximately 900 nm within glass channels.
• Observation of prostate cancer cell migration in response to epidermal growth factor gradients.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of defect-free 3D biomimetic nanoconfigurations within the microfluidic chip.
• Prostate cancer cells migrated over 20 μm in channels significantly narrower than their diameter.
• Observed partial cytokinesis followed by fusion of cell parts after migration in confined spaces.
• Demonstrated the capability of the biochip to study cell deformation and behavior in sub-micron environments.

Conclusions:

• The developed biochip effectively simulates confined environments for studying cancer cell migration.
• Femtosecond laser processing with wavefront correction is a powerful tool for creating complex 3D microstructures in biochips.
• The observed cell behavior, including deformation and fusion, provides insights into metastatic processes.
• This technology offers a new platform for advancing cancer research and understanding tumor progression.