BACKGROUND

Scientists at the National Centre for Biological Sciences have developed a microfluidic device that works on an adapted membrane deflection technique that enables periodic, partial, and complete immobilization of translucent organisms without affecting health conditions. The device is capable of tracking physiological changes in body size and locomotory behavior of translucent organisms such as Drosophila larvae, C. elegans, and zebrafish larvae throughout their lifespan.

 

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

 

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The microfluidic device has a plurality of layers such as a flow channel layer having inlet reservoir(s) and outlet reservoir(s) to introduce a translucent organism, a microfluidic channel to allow the translucent organism to flow, a control channel layer comprising a main trap to immobilize the organism and a channel trap to retain the organism within the microfluidic channel. The flow channel layer and control channel layer are bonded together onto a glass coverslip to form a microfluidic device. Growth of the translucent organism can be monitored using low magnification bright field imaging and cellular phenomena in the organism can be monitored using high-resolution fluorescence imaging.

 

APPLICATIONS

  • High-resolution imaging of subcellular processes in C. elegans and Drosophila can be readily adapted to other transparent or translucent organisms.

  • The device can be used in laser ablation, live transport imaging, behavioral analysis, calcium cell body imaging, cell division, and migration.

 

ADVANTAGES

  • The device provides an advantage over other conventional immobilization methods as it allows longitudinal fluorescence imaging of the live organism without damaging or affecting its health under optimized conditions.

  • The technology described herein is capable of acquiring cellular and sub-cellular fluorescence images of translucent model organisms over a longer time scale.

 

IP STATUS

Indian Patent pending - 640/CHE/2011