Confocal Fluorescence Detection for 3D Cultured Mammalian Cells in a Microfluidic Cell Culture System

摘要

We have investigated a confocal fluorescence detection system for 3D cultured mammalian cells in a microfluidic cell culture analog system. For direct measurement of metabolic changes in the microfluidic cell culture systems using 3D cell cultures, we constructed a compact and portable confocal fluorescence detection system based on discrete optical components. The confocal detection system was designed to provide a depth scan in situ without lateral imaging for fast scanning and acquisition of average fluorescence variation associated with a large number of cells in 3D cultures of microfluidic devices. The results were consistent with the data obtained by a standard confocal microscope and suggest the potential for monitoring cell dynamics in 3D cell-based assays.