Microfluidic Device for Live Cell Manipulation and Analysis

NU 2020-191

INVENTORS
Horacio Espinosa*
Milan Mrksich*
Prithvijit Mukherjee
Eric Berns
Cesar Patino

SHORT DESCRIPTION
A microfluidic platform for manipulation and analysis of live cells by delivering molecules or extracting and analyzing their internal contents at multiple timepoints without killing them

ABSTRACT
Current methods for investigating single biological cells rely on lysis, where the cell membrane is destroyed to extract and analyze the internal contents. This approach is destructive and can only provide information about cells at end points. In order to investigate dynamic cellular processes, new techniques need to be developed that can non-destructively analyze intracellular contents at multiple time-points without disrupting the functioning of the cells. Here we describe a microfluidic technology (the Live Cell Analysis Device or LCAD) which uses electric pulses to open pores temporarily in the cell membrane, allowing for their internal contents to leak out to small chambers having nano-liter volumes. The extracted contents can then be analyzed using a wide range of bio-sensors. Since, the cell membrane heals after the application of the electric pulses, the process is non-destructive and minimally affects cell functioning. This process can then be repeated at multiple time instances to analyze intracellular contents from live cells and investigate dynamic cellular behavior. The LCAD also allows for perturbation of cells by introduction of external molecular cargo into cells or treatment of cells using drugs and factors. This enables investigation of temporal cellular behavior in response to a variety of external inputs.

APPLICATIONS  

• Study of dynamic cell-cell signaling in immune response- ex. Immunotherapy
• Study of dynamic cellular response to external perturbations – ex.Drug screening, disease modeling and cell line generation for discovery of genetic targets pertaining to diseases.
• Study of dynamic cellular processes – ex. Fundamental biology research such as understanding the mechanisms of growth, ageing and disease progression.

ADVANTAGES  

• Offers long term cell culture, monitoring and analysis
• Provides a technique for non-destructive analysis of intracellular contents
• Provides a platform for simultaneous perturbation of cells and assaying of cellular contents at multiple timepoints

IP STATUS
A provisional application has been filed.