Work

Microfluidics meet cell biology: bridging the gap by validation and application of microscale techniques for cell biological assays

Year: 2008

Type: review

Abstract: Microscale techniques have been applied to biological assays for nearly two decades, but haven't been widely integrated as common tools in biological laboratories. The significant differences between several physical phenomena at the microscale versus the macroscale have been exploited to provide a variety of new types of assays (such as gradient production or spatial cell patterning). However, the use of these devices by biologists seems to be limited by issues regarding biological validation, ease of use, and the limited available readouts for assays done using microtechnology. Critical validation work has been done recently that highlights the current challenges for microfluidic methods and suggest ways in which future devices might be improved to better integrate with biological assays. With more validation and improved designs, microscale techniques hold immense promise as a platform to study aspects of cell biology that are not possible using current macroscale techniques.

Source: BioEssays

DOI: 10.1002/bies.20804

Authors: Amy L. Paguirigan, David J. Beebe

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute

Awards: Study of Progenitor Regulation in Mouse Mammary Gland, Microfluidic Channels for High Density, High Performance Culture Assays