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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Microfluidic Picoliter Bioreactor for Microbial Single-cell Analysis: Fabrication, System Setup, and Operation
Published on: December 6, 2013
Protocol to perform dynamic microfluidic single-cell cultivation of C. glutamicum
Luisa Blöbaum1, Sarah Täuber1, Alexander Grünberger2
1Multiscale Bioengineering, Technical Faculty, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
Abstract:
Here, we present a protocol for the design, fabrication, and usage of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based chip for dynamic microfluidic single-cell cultivation of Corynebacterium glutamicum. We describe steps for flow profile establishment and biological preparation. We then detail time-lapse imaging to observe reactions of C. glutamicum to repeated environmental changes in the range of seconds. This system can be adapted to other organisms with a cell wall and soluble non-gaseous environmental factors like nutrients. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Täuber et al..1.

