MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY FOR CELL SCREENING IN NEW MEDICINES DISCOVERY

摘要

A high-density array of assay sites for cell based drug profiling was micromachined on microscope glass coverslips. The shortening and intracellular calcium of individual ventricular muscle cells electrically stimulated in picolitre volume was recorded using video enhanced light microscopy. The electromechanical coupling of cells enclosed in microchambers decayed in contrast to cells permanently superfused in microchannels, indicating ischemic conditions in the restricted volume. This cell-based model of ischemia will enable the profiling of new protective compounds in heart failure.