title: Cell dispensing in low-volume range with the immediate drop-on-demand technology (I-DOT).
abstract: Handling and dosing of cells comprise the most critical step in the microfabrication of cell-based assay systems for screening and toxicity testing. Therefore, the immediate drop-on-demand technology (I-DOT) was developed to provide a flexible noncontact liquid handling system enabling dispensing of cells and liquid without the risk of cross-contamination down to a precise volume in the nanoliter range. Liquid is dispensed from a source plate within nozzles at the bottom by a short compressed air pulse that is given through a quick release valve into the well, thus exceeding the capillary pressure in the nozzle. Droplets of a defined volume can be spotted directly onto microplates or other cell culture devices. We present a study on the performance and biological impact of this technology by applying the cell line MCF-7, human fibroblasts, and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). For all cell types tested, viability after dispensing is comparable to the control and exhibits similar proliferation rates in the absence of apoptotic cells, and the differentiation potential of hMSCs is not impaired. The immediate drop-on-demand technology enables accurate cell dosage and offers promising potential for single-cell applications.
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany lena.schober@ipa.fraunhofer.de.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Evy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Büttner
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laske
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Traube
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brode
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas Florian
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Traube
authors.affiliation: Department Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bauernhansl
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014116:Toxicology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
keywords: (3–5) cell application; drop-on-demand; laboratory automation; liquid dispenser