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MicCell - The Versatile Perfusion System for the Microscope

PDMS-CPs with microscope support 

Lab-on-a-chip applications require microchannels. But biochemical assays are usually more than just the mixing of two solutions.

In order to provide a microfluidic system with maximum flexibility, GeSiM has developed flowthrough cells with removable coverslip that are assembled in seconds and can be used for numerous applications including live cell imaging and single molecule detection. 

Two versions of the PDMS-Channel-Plate with microscope support   

 

MicCell is a platform technology to combine micro and macro fluidic components, lab-on-a-chip devices, microscopy methods, analytical methods and imaging technologies. MicCell allows to work interactive or fully automatically with all the components in a customized approach. The core component of MicCell is the micro flowthrough cell, typically made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and glass. GeSiM offers a special PDMS-based channel system and provides this as PDMS-Channel-Plate (PDMS-CP). Depending on users demand our PDMS-CP concept is suitable as a disposable or a multi-use product.

Complete Casting Station The MicCell in the lab
Casting Station for home-made PDMS cells.
 The MicCell on the object carrier of a microscope.


As a main feature, the flowthrough cells can be opened and resealed. The MicCell platform gives a link between lab-on-a-chip and micro arraying applications. Complex biochemical assays can be realized. Cells and proteins immobilized on cover slip glasses can be investigated at certain places. Cleaning is also more efficient with an optional open system. And it would be ideal to combine the same fluidic system with different analytical methods, e.g. one time using electrochemical and the next time optical detection. A specialty of the PDMS-CP is, that we offer this component also together with a so called MicCell casting station. The casting station contains the casting tool, silicon master chips, Polycarbonate lid, PDMS monomer and the technology description to fabricate and to recycle PDMS-CPs by yourself. Currently the MicCell system supports numerous applications, including live cell imaging and single molecule detection. Last but not least, certain macrofluidic stuff like syringes and valves can accomplish a MicCell system. The MicCell software let's you setup complex fluidic procedures.

Key Features

  • Simple and quick assembly
  • Low volumes
  • Maximum flexibility by modular design
  • Channels in different materials: Glass, silicon, transparent plastics, etc.
  • Gentle handling of cells, beads and biomolecules
  • Complete fluid control by external syringe pumps
  • Software driven environment (pumps + valves =  “fluid processor”)

       Accessories

  • Temperature control: Heating and cooling by integrated or external devices
  • Pressure and flow sensors
  • On-chip mixers
  • Liquid switching/ dosage:
    • Integrated micro valves, e.g. hydrogel valves, or injection ports,
    • External macro valves, e.g. distribution valves.

Applications

  • Micro-reaction technology, e.g., hybridization or stoppedflow chamber, using fluorescence detection
  • Immobilization of biomolecules (e.g., protein or DNA) in the microchannels before assembly, e.g., by microarraying
  • Generation of concentration gradients perpendicular to the microchannel cross section by a "gradient mixer"
  • Semi-automatic drug screening using adherent cells or tissue slices
  • Viability tests and other cell-based physiological assays
  • Measurement of the interaction of cells with immobilized proteins, DNA, RNA, oligo- or polysaccharides, lipids, and other ligands
  • Handling and sorting of suspended cells and particles by dielectrophoresis: please contact Evotec Technologies GmbH
  • Cell handling and sorting using optical tweezers
  • Identification of cancer or stem cells using an "optical stretcher" (patent University of Leipzig)
  • Electroporation in the flow
  • Testing of the uniformity of microbeads and other particles, potentially with sorting
  • Manipulation of elongated macromolecules (e.g., DNA or motor proteins) in hydrodynamic flow fields for the bottom-up construction of nanostructures, force measurements, etc.
  • Micro-capillary electrophoresis under the microscope
  • Integration of, e.g., column or filtration material for micro-purifying with or without microscope control
  • Liquid processing independent of a microscope (e.g., assays using electrochemical detection)
  • Chemical synthesis on the nanoscale
  • Observation of opaque objects in the MicCell using the pivotable sample carrier
  • In general: rapid prototyping for the development of novel microfluidic systems

 

Download... General Overview...

 

Download... Special Designs...

Pleas see our Download Page for more documents and part lists.

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