Cell culture microchip with built-in sensor array for in-situ measurement of cellular microenvironment

Abstract

Microfluidics based cell culture becomes increasingly popular these days due to its various advantages, yet it also imposes serious challenges to conventional analytical methods in sensing the cellular microenvironment. With that in mind, a hybrid microchip system with integrated cell culture and cellular microenvironment sensing capabilities was developed. The key component of the system was a double layer Poly Dimethyl Siloxane (PDMS) microchip featuring some microtrenches at the bottom of the microchannel where cells were cultured. These microtrenches were intended sites for immobilization of sensing materials which change their fluorescence intensity proportionate to the analyte concentration. Culturing of Beta-TC-6 cells within the microchip was successful, and on-site sensing of pH, oxygen and glucose concentration of the cellular microenvironment were demonstrated. The system shows stability over time, great flexibility in customization for different applications and offers a new way to ultimately bring cell culture and cell assay together.