title: Magnetic domain wall conduits for single cell applications.
abstract: The ability to trap, manipulate and release single cells on a surface is important both for fundamental studies of cellular processes and for the development of novel lab-on-chip miniaturized tools for biological and medical applications. In this paper we demonstrate how magnetic domain walls generated in micro- and nano-structures fabricated on a chip surface can be used to handle single yeast cells labeled with magnetic beads. In detail, first we show that the proposed approach maintains the microorganism viable, as proven by monitoring the division of labeled yeast cells trapped by domain walls over 16 hours. Moreover, we demonstrate the controlled transport and release of individual yeast cells via displacement and annihilation of individual domain walls in micro- and nano-sized magnetic structures. These results pave the way to the implementation of magnetic devices based on domain walls technology in lab-on-chip systems devoted to accurate individual cell trapping and manipulation.
authors.affiliation: L-NESS, Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Via Anzani 42, 22100 Como, Italy. marco.donolato@gmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donolato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kostesha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deryabina
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sogne
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vavassori
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertacco
mesh_terms: D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D008280:Magnetics; D008872:Microwaves; D008904:Miniaturization; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology