Experimental Investigation on Cell Auto-Feeding using Micro-Fluidic Digitalization Technology

摘要

The development of cell engineering is greatly blocked by the low efficiency and automation of manual micro-injection. For the purpose of auto-mieroinjection, a novel method for Cell Auto-Feeding (CAF) is presented using Micro-Fluidic Digitalization Technology (MFDT).On control of electric-pulse sequence single, the micro tube, filled with cell culture medium, is driven by a piezo-actuator. The predictable and controllable inertial force along tube axis is produced. When inertial force of cell culture medium within micro tube exceeds viscous force, medium flows relatively in micro tube. And micro-droplet is injected from outlet port. By contraries,medium just flow along with micro tube. Cells, which are cultivated and warped in the medium, are removed and delivered to appointing position, one by one. We developed a cell auto-feeding prototype, which was consisted of a micro tube, a drive unit, a hydraulic pressure adjuster and a detection unit. By experiment,flow rate was respectively tested with change of drive voltage and frequency. In cell auto-feeding experiment,mouse oocytes were delivered automatically and digitally to form one line. The auto-feeding efficiency came to 61 oocytes per minute. Results show CAF system can meet the need of automatic microinjection for various species.