title: Generation of stable concentration gradients in 2D and 3D environments using a microfluidic ladder chamber.
abstract: We have developed a simple microfluidic device for generating stable concentration gradients in 2D and 3D environments. The device, termed the Ladder Chamber, uses a two-compartment diffusion system to generate steady state gradients across flow-free channels that connect the source and sink channels. To demonstrate the utility of the Ladder Chamber for cell migration, neutrophil chemotaxis was successfully observed in soluble chemoattractant (IL-8) gradient. The Ladder Chamber's simple design and experimental implementation make it an attractive approach for investigating cell migration and other biological experiments in well-defined gradients in 2D surfaces as well as in 3D gels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California at Irvine, 3120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
authors.forename: Wajeeh
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saadi
authors.forename: Seog Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Behrad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vahidi
authors.forename: Bong Geun
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Noo Li
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jeon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004867:Equipment Design; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000494:pharmacology; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012015:Reference Standards; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D024042:Collagen Type I; D003470:Culture Media; D003911:Dextrans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005782:Gels; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate