High throughput microfluidic automated assay development and integration: A look into the cellular microenvironment and stress.

摘要

This dissertation unites the unique benefits of microfluidics with high throughput liquid handlers and in cell western analysis to perform robust, consistent, and reliable biological assays. The integration of straight microfluidic channels operated by passive pumping was characterized on two systems; a single pipette automated liquid dispenser and the QuadZ four probe liquid handler. Differences in epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced via varying doses of transforming growth factor-beta in polystyrene and poly(dimethylsiloxane) devices was explored as a validation of the technique. Lastly, a high throughput cellular stress assay was developed to exploit the benefits of the platform in which the cellular baseline was explored between microfluidic culture and well plate culture. Together these tools provide a means for performing more robust, lower cost, and higher content cell based drug screens with the end goal of developing systems that more closely resemble the body.