Electrotaxis Studies of Lung Cancer Cells using a Multichannel Dual-electric-field Microfluidic Chip |
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Authors: | Hsien-San Hou Hui-Fang Chang Ji-Yen Cheng |
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Institution: | 1.Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica;2.Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University;3.Biophotonics & Molecular Imaging Research Center (BMIRC), National Yang-Ming University;4.Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University;5.Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University |
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Abstract: | The behavior of directional cell migration under a direct current electric-field (dcEF) is referred to as electrotaxis. The significant role of physiological dcEF in guiding cell movement during embryo development, cell differentiation, and wound healing has been demonstrated in many studies. By applying microfluidic chips to an electrotaxis assay, the investigation process is shortened and experimental errors are minimized. In recent years, microfluidic devices made of polymeric substances (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA, or acrylic) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been widely used in studying the responses of cells to electrical stimulation. However, unlike the numerous steps required to fabricate a PDMS device, the simple and rapid construction of the acrylic microfluidic chip makes it suitable for both device prototyping and production. Yet none of the reported devices facilitate the efficient study of the simultaneous chemical and dcEF effects on cells. In this report, we describe our design and fabrication of an acrylic-based multichannel dual-electric-field (MDF) chip to investigate the concurrent effect of chemical and electrical stimulation on lung cancer cells. The MDF chip provides eight combinations of electrical/chemical stimulations in a single test. The chip not only greatly shortens the required experimental time but also increases accuracy in electrotaxis studies. |
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Keywords: | Bioengineering Issue 106 Acrylic microfluidic electrotaxis lung adenocarcinoma concurrent chemical/electrical effect polymethylmethacrylate PMMA |
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