title: Concentration landscape generators for shear free dynamic chemical stimulation.
abstract: In this paper we first introduce a novel fabrication process, which allows for easy integration of thin track-etched nanoporous membranes, within 2D or 3D microchannel networks. In these networks, soluble chemical compounds can diffuse out of the channels through well-defined and spatially organized microfabricated porous openings. Interestingly, multiple micron-scale porous areas can be integrated in the same device and each of these areas can be connected to a different microfluidic channel and reservoir. We then present and characterize several membrane-based microdevices and their use for the generation of stable diffusible concentration gradients and complex dynamic chemical landscapes under shear free conditions. We also demonstrate how a simple flow-focusing geometry can be used to generate "on-demand" concentration profiles. In turn, these devices should provide an ideal experimental framework for high throughput cell-based assays: long term high-resolution video microscopy experiments can be performed, under multiple spatially and temporally controlled chemical conditions, with simple protocols and in a cell-friendly environment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, CNRS UMR8552, Département de Physique et Institut de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galas
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahan
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Studer
mesh_terms: D004058:Diffusion; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D058608:Nanopores; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C013830:baysilon; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate