Droplet-interface-bilayer assays in microfluidic passive networks. 2015

Bárbara Schlicht, and Michele Zagnoni
Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK.

Basic biophysical studies and pharmacological processes can be investigated by mimicking the intracellular and extracellular environments across an artificial cell membrane construct. The ability to reproduce in vitro simplified scenarios found in live cell membranes in an automated manner has great potential for a variety of synthetic biology and compound screening applications. Here, we present a fully integrated microfluidic system for the production of artificial lipid bilayers based on the miniaturisation of droplet-interface-bilayer (DIB) techniques. The platform uses a microfluidic design that enables the controlled positioning and storage of phospholipid-stabilized water-in-oil droplets, leading successfully to the scalable and automated formation of arrays of DIBs to mimic cell membrane processes. To ensure robustness of operation, we have investigated how lipid concentration, immiscible phase flow velocities and the device geometrical parameters affect the system performance. Finally, we produced proof-of-concept data showing that diffusive transport of molecules and ions across on-chip DIBs can be studied and quantified using fluorescence-based assays.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008051 Lipid Bilayers Layers of lipid molecules which are two molecules thick. Bilayer systems are frequently studied as models of biological membranes. Bilayers, Lipid,Bilayer, Lipid,Lipid Bilayer
D009821 Oils Unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or easily liquefiable on warming, and are soluble in ether but insoluble in water. Such substances, depending on their origin, are classified as animal, mineral, or vegetable oils. Depending on their behavior on heating, they are volatile or fixed. (Dorland, 28th ed)
D010743 Phospholipids Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system. Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide
D046210 Microfluidic Analytical Techniques Methods utilizing the principles of MICROFLUIDICS for sample handling, reagent mixing, and separation and detection of specific components in fluids. Microfluidic Analysis,Analyses, Microfluidic,Analysis, Microfluidic,Analytical Technique, Microfluidic,Analytical Techniques, Microfluidic,Microfluidic Analyses,Microfluidic Analytical Technique,Technique, Microfluidic Analytical,Techniques, Microfluidic Analytical
D019793 Fluorescein A phthalic indicator dye that appears yellow-green in normal tear film and bright green in a more alkaline medium such as the aqueous humor. Fluorescein Sodium,Sodium Fluorescein,C.I. 45350,Colircusi Fluoresceina,D & C Yellow No. 7,D & C Yellow No. 8,D and C Yellow No. 7,D and C Yellow No. 8,D&C Yellow No. 7,D&C Yellow No. 8,Diofluor,Disodium Fluorescein,Fluor-I-Strip A.T.,Fluorescein Dipotassium Salt,Fluorescein Disodium Salt,Fluorescein Monosodium Salt,Fluorescite,Fluorescéine sodique Faure,Fluorets,Ful-Glo,Funduscein,Minims Fluorescein Sodium,Minims Fluoresceine,Minims Stains,Optifluor Diba,Uranine,Dipotassium Salt, Fluorescein,Disodium Salt, Fluorescein,Fluor I Strip A.T.,Fluorescein Sodium, Minims,Fluorescein, Disodium,Fluorescein, Sodium,Fluoresceina, Colircusi,Fluoresceine, Minims,Ful Glo,Monosodium Salt, Fluorescein,Sodium, Fluorescein

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