Quantifying the volume of single cells continuously using a microfluidic pressure-driven trap with media exchange

Abstract

We demonstrate a microfluidic device capable of tracking the volume of individual cells by integrating an on-chip volume sensor with pressure-activated cell trapping capabilities. The device creates a dynamic trap by operating in feedback; a cell is periodically redirected back and forth through a microfluidic volume sensor (Coulter principle). Sieve valves are positioned on both ends of the sensing channel, creating a physical barrier which enables media to be quickly exchanged while keeping a cell firmly in place. The volume of individual Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was tracked over entire growth cycles, and the ability to quickly exchange media was demonstrated.

Beyond the bulk: disclosing the life of single microbial cells

“… 2014 ; Riordon et al. 2014 ; Khalili and Ahmad 2015 ). Many trapping structures restrict cell growth to a monolayer in one focal plane for optical analysis by matching channel heights and dimensions of microbial cells (Gruenberger et al.…”

“… 2014 ; Riordon et al. 2014 ). Here we will focus on studies that retain single microbes in microstructured habitats for controlled perturbation experiments.…”

“… 2014 ; Riordon et al. 2014 ). The principle of hydrodynamic trapping is based on the exploitation of altered fluidic resistances, which can be achieved by the creation of bypass channels with lower flow velocities or by sieve-like physical structures in microchannels (Benavente-Babace et al.…”

Microfluidics platform for measurement of volume changes in immobilized intestinal enteroids

“…A prior study reported an electrical impedance method to measure single-cell volume changes using an on-chip electrical-impedance volume sensor with pressure-activated cell trapping capabilities. 22 Such an approach may be adaptable to enteroid volume measurements as an alternative to the optical approach used here.…”

Manipulating Electrical and Fluidic Access in Integrated Nanopore‐Microfluidic Arrays Using Microvalves

“…When a high pressure is applied to one channel, the other one will be compressed, restricting flow. This technology has been developed as a practical way to obtain microfluidic large‐scale integration in the design and fabrication of biosensors …”