title: A microfluidic perfusion platform for cultivation and screening study of motile microalgal cells.
abstract: Systematic screening of algal cells is getting huge interest due to their capability of producing lipid-based biodiesel. Here, we introduce a new microfluidic platform composed of an array of perfusion chambers designed for long-term cultivation and preliminary screening of motile microalgal cells through loading and releasing of cells to and from the chambers. The chemical environment in each perfusion chamber was independently controlled for 5 days. The effect of nitrogen-depletion on the lipid production, phototaxis behavior in the absence of Ca(2+), and cytotoxic effect of herbicide on microalgal cells was successfully monitored and compared with simultaneous control experiments on the platform. The present methodology could be extended to effective screening of algal cells and various cell lines for the production of biodiesel and other useful chemicals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fine Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea ; National Center of Applied Microfluidic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyungbuk 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Eu
authors.affiliation: Department of Fine Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea ; National Center of Applied Microfluidic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyungbuk 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: National Center of Applied Microfluidic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyungbuk 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Pyo
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Materials Research and Education Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36830, USA ; Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 427-791, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wook Hong