A microfluidic-based cell culture platform for cellular and subcellular imaging

This study reports a new microfluidic-based cell culture platform. Moreover, microheaters, a micro temperature sensor, micropumps were integrated into the system to achieve a self-contained device for standard perfusion mammalian cell culture. One of key features of the proposed platform is the design of ultra-thin cell culture chamber allowing real-time cellular and sub-cellular imaging. The entire cell culture process can be performed automatically without human intervention. The developed platform was used for study of drug delivery on oral cancer cells. Experimental data showed that it can successfully monitor the dividing process of cancer cells. Besides, the cell response to anti-cancer drugs was also investigated. The developed platform can be promising for cell-based study.