Work

High-throughput optofluidic system for the laser microsurgery of oocytes

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: This study combines microfluidics with optical microablation in a microscopy system that allows for high-throughput manipulation of oocytes, automated media exchange, and long-term oocyte observation. The microfluidic component of the system transports oocytes from an inlet port into multiple flow channels. Within each channel, oocytes are confined against a microfluidic barrier using a steady fluid flow provided by an external computer-controlled syringe pump. This allows for easy media replacement without disturbing the oocyte location. The microfluidic and optical-laser microbeam ablation capabilities of the system were validated using surf clam (Spisula solidissima) oocytes that were immobilized in order to permit ablation of the 5 μm diameter nucleolinus within the oocyte nucleolus. Oocytes were the followed and assayed for polar body ejection.

Source: Journal of Biomedical Optics

DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.17.1.015001

Authors: Charlie Chandsawangbhuwana, Linda Z. Shi, Qingyuan Zhu, Michael W. Berns, Mark C. Alliegro

Institutions: University of California San Diego, Marine Biological Laboratory, University of California, Irvine, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: Rediscovery of the Nucleolinus, G7186815011