title: Digital microfluidic processing of mammalian embryos for vitrification.
abstract: Cryopreservation is a key technology in biology and clinical practice. This paper presents a digital microfluidic device that automates sample preparation for mammalian embryo vitrification. Individual micro droplets manipulated on the microfluidic device were used as micro-vessels to transport a single mouse embryo through a complete vitrification procedure. Advantages of this approach, compared to manual operation and channel-based microfluidic vitrification, include automated operation, cryoprotectant concentration gradient generation, and feasibility of loading and retrieval of embryos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Derek G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelgawad
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D058989:Vitrification
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents