Research Highlights

Biomechanical Microdevices for Cell Research

The physical forces to which living cells are most commonly exposed are fluid shear, pressure, and stretch. These mechanical stimulations influence the physiological and pathological condition of the organism, which induces many aspects of human health and disease. Cancer cells are also known to have a less extensive internal cytoskeleton than healthy cells, so behave differently when squeezed. We have developed a new kind of microfluidic biomechanical device for compressive stimulation and lysis of cells [Sens. Actuators B Chem. 2007, 128, 108]. Here mechanical stress was applied to the cells with the deflection of the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane between two microchannels, formed by multilayer soft lithography. This technology can also be used to spot the difference between cancerous cells and healthy ones by squeezing them until they deform - a discovery that could lead to a cheap tool for cancer detection [Analyst 2008133, 1432]. Recently, we also demonstrate a novel microfluidic in vitro cultivation system for bovine embryos that improves their development using a partially constricted channel that mimics peristaltic muscle contraction [Electrophoresis 2009, 30, 3276].  

Related Articles:  

8

97.jpg

Chae Yun Bae, Minseok S. Kim, Je-Kyun Park, "Mechanical stimulation of bovine embryos in a microfluidic culture platform," Biochip J., 5 (2), 106-113 (2011).

7

80.jpg

Yu Chang Kim, Seung-Hoon Kim, Duckjong Kim, Sang-Jin Park, Je-Kyun Park, "Plasma extraction in a capillary-driven microfluidic device using surfactant-added poly(dimethylsiloxane)," Sens. Actuators B Chem., 145 (2), 861-868 (2010).
External link Supporting Info. (doc, 619 KB)  

6

71.jpg

Minseok S. Kim, Chae Yun Bae, Gabbine Wee, Yong-Mahn Han, Je-Kyun Park, "A microfluidic in vitro cultivation system for mechanical stimulation of bovine embryos," Electrophoresis, 30 (18), 3276-3282 (2009)
External link The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

5

cellchip-2

RSC¡¯s Chemical Biology news (2008. 07. 30)

4

49.jpg

Yu Chang Kim, Sang-Jin Park, Je-Kyun Park, "Biomechanical analysis of cancerous and normal cells based on bulge generation in a microfluidic device," Analyst, 133 (10), 1432-1439 (2008).

External link
Highlighted in the RSC¡¯s Chemical Biology news magazine (30 July 2008).

3

44.jpg

Wonjae Choi, Ji-Su Kim, Do-Hyun Lee, Kyung-Kwang Lee, Deog-Bon Koo, Je-Kyun Park, "Dielectrophoretic oocyte selection chip for in vitro fertilization," Biomed. Microdevices, 10 (3), 337-345 (2008).   
External link The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

2

36.jpg

Yu Chang Kim, Joo H. Kang,  Sang-Jin Park, Eui-Soo Yoon, Je-Kyun Park, "Microfluidic biomechanical device for compressive cell stimulation and lysis," Sens. Actuators B Chem., 128 (1), 108-116 (2007).

1

30.jpg

Minseok S. Kim, Janghwan Kim, Hyo-Won Han, Yee Sook Cho, Yong-Mahn Han, Je-Kyun Park, "Microfabricated embryonic stem cell divider for large-scale propagation of human embryonic stem cells," Lab Chip, 7 (4), 513-515 (2007).
External link The first two authors contributed equally to this work.
External link Supporting Info. (pdf, 462 KB)
External link Selected for the issue 5, 2007 of RSC Chemical Biology Virtual Journa

 

Microfabricated Devices for Electrochemotherapy

A microfabricated cell-based electrochemotherapy (ECT) testing device which mimics a clinical electroporator of circular needle-array is demonstrated to study the electrochemotherapeutic effect on T47D human breast cancer cells. Until now, the performance between electroporators having two- and six-needle circular array electrodes, which are the general needle-type clinical electroporators for ECT, has not been evaluated systemically, although many studies have investigated the efficacy of ECT on cancer cells. In this study, the cell-based performance on the newly developed ECT testing device was analyzed in two and six-electrode modes using propidium iodide and bleomycin, and the electroporation characteristics were characterized [Biomed. Microdevices 2009, 11, 151; Anal. Chem. 2009, 81, 3517]. We also developed a microfabricated electroporator for the irreversible electroporation (IRE) of tissues by miniaturizing a clinical electroporator with a two-needle array while keeping the same electric field strength distribution. With the developed microfabricated electroporator, the effect of IRE on rat liver tissues was analyzed with time by immunohistological stainings and electrical measurement, and the experimental results were compared with those operated with the corresponding real-scale clinical electroporator [Tissue Eng. Part C Methods 2010, 16, 1245].

Related Articles:  

3

89.jpg

Youn-Suk Choi, Hong-Bae Kim, Junho Chung, Hyung-Sik Kim, Jeong-Han Yi, Je-Kyun Park, "Preclinical analysis of irreversible electroporation on rat liver tissues using a microfabricated electroporator," Tissue Eng. Part C Methods, 16 (6), 1245-1253 (2010).  
External link The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

2

65.jpg

Youn-Suk Choi, Hong-Bae Kim, Seung-Hoon Kim, Jaekyu Choi, Je-Kyun Park, "Microdevice for analyzing the effect of electrochemotherapy on cancer cells," Anal. Chem., 81 (9), 3517-3522 (2009). 

1

57.jpg

Youn-Suk Choi, Hong-Bae Kim, Gil-Sik Kwon, Je-Kyun Park, "On-chip testing device for electrochemotherapeutic effects on human breast cells," Biomed. Microdevices, 11 (1), 151-159 (2009).