A chemical waveform synthesizer.
Algorithms and methods were developed to synthesize complex chemical waveforms in open volumes by using a scanning-probe microfluidic platform. Time-dependent variations and oscillations of one or several chemical species around the scanning probe, such as formation of sine waves, damped oscillations, and generation of more complex patterns, are demonstrated. Furthermore, we show that intricate bursting and chaotic calcium oscillations found in biological microdomains can be reproduced and that a biological cell can be used as a probe to study receptor functionalities as a function of exposure to time-dependent variations of receptor activators and inhibitors. Thus, the method allows for studies of biologically important oscillatory reactions. More generally, the system allows for detailed studies of complex time-varying chemical and physical phenomena in solution or at solution/surface interfaces.
Olofsson
Jessica
J
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience and Microtechnology Centre, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
Bridle
Helen
H
Sinclair
Jon
J
Granfeldt
Daniel
D
Sahlin
Eskil
E
Orwar
Owe
O
D000465:Algorithms; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D008433:Mathematics; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D002118:Calcium