Flexible Toolbox of High-Precision Microfluidic Modules for Versatile Droplet-Based Applications.

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Droplet-based microfluidics shows great potential for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
• Current cell cultivation methods like microplates have limitations.
• Exploiting droplet microfluidics for cell cultivation requires precise control over basic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate microfluidic modules for precise droplet-based cell cultivation.
• To enable key functions including droplet generation, mixing, detection, and fluid injection.
• To overcome limitations of existing cell culture techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development of microfluidic modules for droplet generation, mixing, detection, and fluid injection.
• Investigation of the Two-Fluid Probe's robustness with varying flow rates.
• Characterization of new chip-based modules: gradient, piezo valve-based conditioning, analysis, and microscopy.
• Plasma treatment of micro-channel surfaces to eliminate the need for surfactants.

Main Results:

• High-precision microfluidic modules for droplet generation, mixing, detection, and fluid injection were successfully developed.
• The Two-Fluid Probe demonstrated robust droplet generation across different flow rates.
• New chip-based modules exhibited high-precision functionalities for advanced cell culture.
• Cell cultivation experiments were performed without surfactants using various cell types and culture media.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic modules significantly advance droplet-based cell cultivation.
• These modules provide a versatile platform for long-term culture of various cell types, including stem and cancer cells.
• The surfactant-free approach enhances the applicability for sensitive cell cultures and complex 3D structures.