Integrated microdevices for real-time investigation at the single cell scale

Through examples of in-house microfluidic devices, we expose our development approach towards a fully integrated micro-device for real time electrochemical analysis of an array of single cells. After discussing the strategic advantages of the microfabrication tools used in this work, we describe four microdevices as an answer to the following issues: cell handling and culture; single cell trapping in chemically isolated micro-chambers; in chip single cell electrochemical analysis; electrochemical analysis of an array of cells.