Fabrication of a Microfluidic Device for Axonal Guidance

Yuta Nakashima; Takashi Yasuda

doi:10.20965/jrm.2005.p0158

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JRM Vol.17 No.2 pp. 158-163

doi: 10.20965/jrm.2005.p0158

(2005)

Paper:

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Fabrication of a Microfluidic Device for Axonal Guidance

Yuta Nakashima, and Takashi Yasuda

Graduate School of Life Science and System Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan

Received:

October 19, 2004

Accepted:

January 27, 2005

Published:

April 20, 2005

Keywords:

microfluidics, nano-hole, microvalve, neuronal growth, nerve growth factor

Abstract

This paper presents the fabrication and testing of a microfluidic device having a hydrophobic passive microvalve and a nano-hole array for releasing NGF (Nerve Growth Factors). This device was realized by the microfabrication process of a SOI (Silicon on Insulator) wafer. The microvalve was constructed inside a microchannel and driven by inlet pressure. The nano-hole array was fabricated in a SiO₂ membrane of 500nm in thickness using FIB (Focused Ion Beam) etching. Each nano-hole measured 500nm in diameter, and was smaller than the diameter of an axon terminal. The time and inlet pressure required for valve switching depended on the contact angle of the liquid and the material of the hydrophobic channel. Experiments using a fluorescent solution showed that chemical release through the nano-holes was successfully controlled by opening and closing the microvalve. This result suggests that the fabricated device can control NGF release that is required to guide a nerve axon in a specific direction.

Cite this article as:

Y. Nakashima and T. Yasuda, “Fabrication of a Microfluidic Device for Axonal Guidance,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.17 No.2, pp. 158-163, 2005.

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References

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This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.

[1] [1] J.-U. Meyer, M. Schuttler, H. Thielecke, and T. Stieglitz, “Biomedical Microdevices for Neural Interfaces,” Proceedings of the 1st Annual International IEEE-EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine & Biology, pp. 447-453, 2000.

[2] [2] S. Takeuchi, and I. Shimoyama, “Three Dimensional SMA Microelectrodes with Clipping Structure for Insect Neural Recording,” Technical Digest of the twelfth IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, pp. 464-469, 1999.

[3] [3] A. Kawana, and Y. Jimbo, “Neurointerface –Interfaces of Neuronal Networks to Electrical Circuit–,” Technical Digest of the twelfth IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, pp. 14-20, 1999.

[4] [4] S. Takayama, R. G. Chapman, R. S. Kane, and G. M. Whitesides, “Patterning of Cells and their Environment,” Principles of Tissue Engineering, 2nd ed., Academic Press, pp. 209-220, 2000.

[5] [5] H. Kaji, M. Nishizawa, and T. Matsue, “Development of Novel Bioassay System Using Micropatterned Mammalian Cells,” Proceedings of the Micro Total Analysis Systems Symposium, Vol.2, pp. 814-816, 2002.

[6] [6] F. Morin, M. Denoual, L. Griscom, B. LePioufle, H. Fujita, and E. Tamiya, “Controlling Cell Development by Microfluidic Techniques: a Step Towards Whole-Cell Biosensors with Defined Biological Features,” Proceedings of the Micro Total Analysis Systems Symposium, Vol.1, pp. 515-517, 2002.

[7] [7] H. Moriguchi, K. Takahashi, T. Kaneko, and K. Yasuda, “On-Chip Agarose Microchamber (AMC) Array Cell Cultivation System for Topographical Control of Neural Network,” Proceedings of the MicroTotal Analysis Systems Symposium, Vol.1, pp. 13-15, 2002.

[8] [8] R. W. Gundersen, and J. N. Barrett, “Neuronal Chemotaxis: Chick Dorsal-Root Axons Turn Toward High Concentrations of Nerve Growth Factor,” Science, Vol.206, pp. 1079-1080, 1979.

[9] [9] K.-S. Yun, S.-I. Lee, G. M. Lee, and E. Yoon, “Design and Fabrication of Micro/Nano-Fluidic Chip Performing Single-Cell Positioning and Nanoliter Drug Injection for Single-Cell Analysis,” Proceedings of the Micro Total Analysis Systems Symposium, Vol.2, pp. 652-654, 2002.

[10] [10] N. Y. Lee, M. Yamada, and M. Seki, “Improved Sample Injection Method Adapting Hydrophobic Passive Valve Systems for Microfluidic Devices,” Proceedings of the Micro Total Analysis Systems Symposium, Vol.2, pp. 667-669, 2002.