title: Nano-aquarium for dynamic observation of living cells fabricated by femtosecond laser direct writing of photostructurable glass.
abstract: We demonstrate the fabrication of three-dimensional (3-D) hollow microstructures embedded in photostructurable glass by a nonlinear multiphoton absorption process using a femtosecond (fs) laser. Fs laser direct writing followed by annealing and successive wet etching in dilute hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution resulted in the rapid manufacturing of microchips with 3-D hollow microstructures for the dynamic observation of living microorganisms and cells in fresh water. The embedded microchannel structure enables us to analyze the continuous motion of Euglena gracilis. A microchamber with a movable microneedle demonstrates its ability for the elucidation of the information transmission process in Pleurosira laevis. Such microchips, referred to as nano-aquariums realize the efficient and highly functional observation of microorganisms and cells.
authors: RIKEN-The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. y-hanada@riken.jp
authors: Yasutaka
authors: Y
authors: Hanada
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Sugioka
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Kawano
authors: Ikuko Shihira
authors: IS
authors: Ishikawa
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Miyawaki
authors: Katsumi
authors: K
authors: Midorikawa
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007834:Lasers; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods