Microfluidic Assembly
Microfluidic Assembly - Related Videos
10:50
Use of Pre-Assembled Plastic Microfluidic Chips for Compartmentalizing Primary Murine Neurons
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Cited by 16 •
2018
This protocol describes the use of plastic chips to culture and compartmentalize primary murine neurons. These chips are preassembled, user-friendly, and compatible with high-resolution, live, and fluorescence imaging. This protocol describes how to plate rat hippocampal neurons within these chips and perform fluidic isolation, axotomy and immunostaining.
14:36
Combining QD-FRET and Microfluidics to Monitor DNA Nanocomplex Self-Assembly in Real-Time
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Cited by 4 •
2009
We present a novel and powerful integration of nanophotonics (QD-FRET) and microfluidics to investigate the formation of polyelectrolyte polyplexes, which is expected to provide better control and synthesis of uniform and customizable polyplexes for future nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
10:35
Studies of Bacterial Chemotaxis Using Microfluidics - Interview
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Cited by 1 •
2007
06:46
Compartmentalization of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons within Pre-Assembled Plastic Microfluidic Chips
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Cited by 16 •
2019
This protocol demonstrates the use of compartmentalized microfluidic chips, injection molded in a cyclic olefin copolymer to cultured neurons differentiated from human stem cells. These chips are preassembled and easier-to-use than traditional compartmentalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) devices. Multiple common experimental paradigms are described here, including viral labeling, fluidic isolation, axotomy, and immunostaining.
11:13
Creating Sub-50 Nm Nanofluidic Junctions in PDMS Microfluidic Chip via Self-Assembly Process of Colloidal Particles
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Cited by 1 •
2016
We propose a simple self-assembly technique of silica colloidal nanoparticles to create a nanofluidic junction between two microchannels in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Using this technique, a nanoporous bead membrane with a pore size down to ~45 nm was built inside a microchannel and applied to electrokinetic preconcentration of DNA samples.
FAQs
Bonding joins patterned device layers into a continuous structure, while ports, membranes, valves, and sensors add interfaces or control functions. Together, these elements determine whether fluids can be routed through the intended channels and chambers for controlled flow, mixing, separation, or compartmentalization. Their integration directly affects how reliably the assembled device performs biological analyses.
Polymers or glass provide the material basis for patterned channels and chambers, while integrated components expand the device’s functions. Ports provide access to the fluidic network, and membranes, valves, or sensors can support additional control or analytical roles. Combining these elements appropriately allows one assembled structure to perform different microscale biological operations.
Reliable assembly preserves the intended relationships among channels, chambers, and functional components. When those structures work together consistently, the device can produce controlled flow, mixing, separation, or compartmentalization across experiments. This consistency is especially important for lab-on-a-chip systems, where reproducible assembly supports dependable miniaturized assays and comparison of parallel biological experiments.
A typical workflow begins by patterning channel networks in polymers or glass, followed by bonding the device layers. Ports, membranes, valves, or sensors are then incorporated as needed. The completed assembly can guide small fluid volumes through designed pathways, enabling operations such as controlled flow, mixing, separation, or compartmentalization in biological studies.
Integrated channel networks and chambers can organize small fluid volumes into controlled pathways or separate compartments. This architecture reduces reagent use while enabling parallel experiments, so multiple biological analyses can be conducted within a miniaturized lab-on-a-chip system. The result is a compact platform for handling repeated or simultaneous workflows with controlled fluid movement.
Biological applications include cell culture, cell sorting, biochemical assays, and tissue-model development. Each use depends on assembling channels, chambers, and functional components so fluids can be controlled in ways suited to the experiment. These platforms support miniaturized biological analysis while reducing reagent use and enabling parallel work within integrated devices.