Development of vacuum assisted microfluidic cell trapping device for repositioning of oocyte intracellular chromosomes

We report the design and micro-fabrication of vacuum-assisted microfluidic trapping device for the rapid capture of single cell such as an oocyte. We also suggest an application of such device for monitoring an intracellular chromosome inside cell that has an interaction with external environments. Real time monitoring is enabled through the fabrication on a silicon-on-glass substrate, offering excellent optical imaging window. We demonstrate the single cell capture event and monitoring of chromosome activity. This result will provide a powerful tool for investigating the physiological and pathological cellular functions.