On-chip cell analysis platform: Implementation of contact fluorescence microscopy in microfluidic chips

Citation

Hiroaki Takehara, Osawa Kazutaka, Makito Haruta, Toshihiko Noda, Kiyotaka Sasagawa, Takashi Tokuda, Jun Ohta, Journal AIP Advances (2017)

Keywords

• On-chip cell analysis platform
• Contact fluorescence microscopy
• Microfluidics
• CMOS fluorescence imager
• Ultra-thin glass bottom microfluidic chip
• Cellular activity detection
• Endothelial growth factor (EGF)
• FRET probe (EKAREV)

Brief

This article presents a novel, on-chip cell analysis platform that integrates contact fluorescence microscopy and microfluidics using a CMOS fluorescence imager and an ultra-thin glass bottom microfluidic chip for observing living cells.

Summary

This article, published in 2017 in the journal AIP Advances, describes the development of a novel on-chip cell analysis platform that integrates contact fluorescence microscopy and microfluidics. Here are the key takeaways:

• Limitations of traditional fluorescence microscopy: While fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for biomedical research and clinical applications, conventional tabletop microscopes are bulky, expensive, and require specialized personnel, limiting their use in certain settings.
• Advantages of the on-chip platform: This new platform combines a contact CMOS fluorescence imager and an ultra-thin glass bottom microfluidic chip, offering several advantages over traditional methods:

1. Compact and cost-effective: The use of CMOS image sensor technology allows for compact hardware, making the platform more affordable and accessible.
2. High-throughput screening: The microfluidic chip enables automated handling and analysis of biological samples, making the platform suitable for high-throughput applications.
3. Minimized image distortion: The ultra-thin glass bottom of the microfluidic chip reduces the distance between the sample and the imager, minimizing signal loss and improving image resolution.

• Proof-of-concept experiment: The researchers successfully demonstrated the platform's capabilities by detecting the response of cultured cells to endothelial growth factor (EGF) in real-time. This involved using a FRET probe, EKAREV, to monitor changes in fluorescence intensity as cells were stimulated with EGF.
• Future directions: The article suggests potential improvements for the platform, including:

1. Computational image reconstruction techniques to enhance the resolution of contact fluorescence imaging.
2. Improved absorption filter performance to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio.
3. Multi-color fluorescence imaging capabilities by incorporating filter patterning techniques.
4. Development of implantable devices for in vivo applications.

In conclusion, this on-chip cell analysis platform represents a promising tool for biomedical research and drug development due to its compact size, cost-effectiveness, and automation capabilities.

Origin: https://pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/article/7/9/095213/940790