Powell M.J., Higashi L.K., Cabasug A.A., Giffin S.M., Alley R.K.
Nanopoint Inc., US
Keywords: active, array, cells, fluidics, screening
Nanopoint has developed a novel micro-fabricated live cell containment device called cellTRAYTM designed specifically for imaging live cells. The device enables the precise containment of cells in an optical glass substrate, the size of a standard 1”x3” microscope slide, comprising a micro-array of thousands of wells for isolating cells for experimentation and imaging. Cells can be observed before and after replication allowing the researcher to monitor the response of cells to other stimuli. The cellTRAY also contains microfluidic channels that allow life support and reagents to be administered to the various wells. Nanopoint has extended its original cellTRAY concept to include an active microfluidic version; both cellTRAYs have the same design, however the active version includes attachments that allow users to regulate fluid flow. The significant advantage of the cellTRAY over current systems is its size (small physical footprint), the number of individual wells (>7000) that can all contain multiple live cells, while providing active fluidics across the entire slide and it is the only microfluidic device that is mechanically open, but fluidically closed. cellTRAY forms the basis for lab-on-a-chip technology as it provides the means to automatically dispense and treat cells continually with reagents and cell culture media.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 304 - 307
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 1-4200-6184-4