Scalable large-area mesh-structured microfluidic gradient generator for drug testing applications.

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microfluidic concentration gradient generators (μCGGs) are crucial for drug testing and cellular applications.
• Conventional fabrication methods are often expensive and complex.
• There is a need for cost-effective and scalable μCGG fabrication techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, photolithography-less method for fabricating microfluidic concentration gradient generators.
• To demonstrate the utility of the fabricated μCGG for drug testing applications.
• To validate the cost-effectiveness and scalability of the new fabrication technique.

Main Methods:

• A non-conventional method using Saffman Taylor instability in a multiport lifted Hele-Shaw cell (MLHSC) to shape ceramic suspension fluid.
• Soft lithography using the shaped ceramic structure as a template to create the μCGG.
• COMSOL simulations to characterize concentration gradients and validate experimental results with fluorescein dye and curcumin drug testing on HeLa cells.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of a μCGG using a photolithography-less, cost-effective method.
• Experimental validation of concentration gradients and drug testing (curcumin on HeLa cells) matching conventional methods.
• Demonstrated advantages including design flexibility, cost-effectiveness, large area patterning, and scalability.

Conclusions:

• The developed photolithography-less method provides an affordable and scalable approach for fabricating μCGGs.
• This technique offers significant advantages over traditional photolithography for μCGG production.
• The μCGG is suitable for various biological and non-biological applications requiring precise concentration gradients.