Label-Free On-Chip Selective Extraction of Cell-Aggregate-Laden Microcapsules from Oil into Aqueous Solution with Optical Sensor and Dielectrophoresis.

ABSTRACT: Microfluidic encapsulation of cells or tissues in biocompatible solidlike hydrogels has wide biomedical applications. However, the microfluidically encapsulated cells/tissues are usually suspended in oil and need to be extracted into aqueous solution for further culture or use. Current extracting techniques are either nonselective for the cell/tissue-laden hydrogel microcapsules or rely on fluorescence labeling of the cells/tissues, which may be undesired for their further culture or use. Here we developed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) to achieve label-free on-chip selective extraction of cell-aggregate-laden hydrogel microcapsules from oil into aqueous solution. The system includes a microfluidic device, an optical sensor, a dielectrophoretic (DEP) actuator, and microcontrollers.

SUBMITTER: Sun M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5825295 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature