The integration of microfluidics with living biological systems has paved the way to the exciting concept of “organs-on-a-chip,” which aims at the development of advanced in vitro models that replicate the key features of human organs. Glass-based devices have long been utilized in the field of microfluidics but the integration of alternative functional elements within multilayered glass microdevices, such as polymeric membranes, remains a challenge. To this end, we have extended a previously reported approach for the low-temperature bonding of glass devices that enables the integration of a functional polycarbonate porous membrane. The process was initially developed and optimized on specialty low-temperature bonding equipment (μTAS2001, Bondtech, Japan) and subsequently adapted to more widely accessible hot embosser units (EVG520HE Hot Embosser, EVG, Austria). The key aspect of this method is the use of low temperatures compatible with polymeric membranes. Compared to borosilicate glass bonding (650°C) and quartz/fused silica bonding (1050°C) processes, this method maintains the integrity and functionality of the membrane (Tg 150°C for polycarbonate). Leak tests performed showed no damage or loss of integrity of the membrane for up to 150 h, indicating sufficient bond strength for long-term cell culture. A feasibility study confirmed the growth of dense and functional monolayers of Caco-2 cells within 5 days.
The integration of microfluidics with living biological systems has paved the way to the exciting concept of “organson- a-chip”, which aims at the development of advanced in vitro models that replicate the key features of human organs. Glass based devices have long been utilised in the field of microfluidics but the integration of alternative functional elements within multi-layered glass microdevices, such as polymeric membranes, remains a challenge.
To this end, we have extended a previously reported approach for the low-temperature bonding of glass devices that enables the integration of a functional polycarbonate porous membrane. The process was initially developed and optimised on specialty low-temperature bonding equipment (μTAS2001, Bondtech, Japan) and subsequently adapted to more widely accessible hot embosser units (EVG520HE Hot Embosser, EVG, Austria). The key aspect of this method is the use of low temperatures compatible with polymeric membranes. Compared to borosilicate glass bonding (650 °C) and quartz/fused silica bonding (1050 °C) processes, this method maintains the integrity and functionality of the membrane (Tg 150 °C for polycarbonate). Leak tests performed showed no damage or loss of integrity of the membrane for up to 150 hours, indicating sufficient bond strength for long term cell culture. A feasibility study confirmed the growth of dense and functional monolayers of Caco-2 cells within 5 days.
Thermal lens microscope (TLM) is a kind of absorption spectrophotometry based on photothermal phenomena
of non-fluorescent molecules. TLM has high sensitivity (single molecule concentration in fL detection volume) and
wide applicability (non-fluorescent molecules). TLM was successfully applied to detection on microchip in clinical
diagnosis, environmental analysis, single cell analysis and so on. The basic function of TLM is concentration
determination in microspace. In addition, we have realized various functions on TLM for sensitive chiral analysis,
individual nanoparticle counting and in situ flow sensing. In this presentation, we explain these functional TLMs for
microchip chemistry.
Thermal lens microscope (TLM) is our original sensitive detector for non-fluorescent molecules in microspace. The principle is based on absorption of light followed by photothermal process. TLM has been successfully applied tosensitive detection on microchip, and TLM enabled various applications combined with microchip technologies. We are now developing HPLC microchips as one of the important separation techniques for analysis and synthesis. For HPLC microchip systems, direct and sensitive UV detection on microchip becomes key technology. Therefore, we extended applicability of TLM from visible to UV light absorbing samples by pulse UV laser excitation (UV-TLM). Quasi- continuous wave (QCW) method was applied for lock-in amplifier detection. By applying UV-TLM for biomolecules separation and detection, about two orders of higher sensitivity was achieved compared with UV spectrophotometer. For synthesis on microchip, recognition and detection of chiral samples become important in pharmaceutical field. Therefore, function of TLM was extended for selective detection of chiral samples by utilizing polarization modulation of excitation beam and resultant circular dichroism of sample (CD-TLM). The chirality of samples was detected selectively on microchip with two orders higher sensitivity than CD spectrophotometer. Finally, we explained the instrumentation using fiber optics and micro lens technology for achieving a miniaturized practical device.
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