US scientists have designed a chip that can subject cells to different chemical treatments in a continuous sequence.rnJames Sturm and colleagues at Princeton University have tested a method that can handle complex sequential cell analyses.rnOn-chip experiments produce faster results than conventional approaches and use smaller sample and reagent volumes. But their application to biological systems is limited because sequential treatments are often required, causing reagent mixing that is difficult to reverse.rnSturm's chip has an asymmetric arrangement of posts that causes cells to move across the surface at an angle. Parallel streams of reagents, known as microfluidic channels, flow over the chip so that the cells pass through each chemical zone without any cross-contamination.
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