A microfluidic platform for probing single cell plasma membranes using optically trapped Smart Droplet Microtools (SDMs).
We recently introduced a novel platform based upon optically trapped lipid coated oil droplets (Smart Droplet Microtools-SDMs) that were able to form membrane tethers upon fusion with the plasma membrane of single cells. Material transfer from the plasma membrane to the droplet via the tether was seen to occur. Here we present a customised version of the SDM approach based upon detergent coated droplets deployed within a microfluidic format. These droplets are able to differentially solubilise the plasma membrane of single cells with spatial selectivity and without forming membrane tethers. The microfluidic format facilitates separation of the target cells from the bulk SDM population and from downstream analysis modules. Material transfer from the cell to the SDM was monitored by tracking membrane localized EGFP.
Lanigan
Peter M P
PM
The Single Cell Proteomics Group, Chemical Biology Centre (CBC), Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, UK SW7 2AZ.
Ninkovic
Tanja
T
Chan
Karen
K
de Mello
Andrew J
AJ
Willison
Keith R
KR
Klug
David R
DR
Templer
Richard H
RH
Neil
Mark A A
MA
Ces
Oscar
O
D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D040901:Proteomics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D008055:Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins