title: A hydrogel-based microfluidic device for the studies of directed cell migration.
abstract: We have developed a hydrogel-based microfluidic device that is capable of generating a steady and long term linear chemical concentration gradient with no through flow in a microfluidic channel. Using this device, we successfully monitored the chemotactic responses of wildtype Escherichia coli (suspension cells) to alpha-methyl-DL-aspartate (attractant) and differentiated HL-60 cells (a human neutrophil-like cell line that is adherent) to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (f-MLP, attractant). This device advances the current state of the art in microchemotaxis devices in that (1) it demonstrates the validity of using hydrogels as the building material for a microchemotaxis device; (2) it demonstrates the potential of the hydrogel based microfluidic device in biological experiments since most of the proteins and nutrients essential for cell survival are readily diffusible in hydrogel; (3) it is capable of applying chemical stimuli independently of mechanical stimuli; (4) it is straightforward to make, and requires very basic tools that are commonly available in biological labs. This device will also be useful in controlling the chemical and mechanical environment during the formation of tissue engineered constructs.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Shing-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heilman
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: Shivaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Shuler
authors.forename: Mingming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate