The B2 microfluidic plate offers the most advanced technology for live imaging of bacteria cells. It is the only product that combines the ability to trap cells in a fixed focal plane with long term continuous perfusion and real time solution exchange.
The easy to use format and fool-proof operation allow any user to run complex live cell imaging experiments with confidence.
The well layout of the B2 plate is schematically depicted in figure 1. Each flow unit consists of 5 wells arranged in a single row. There are two flow inlets for solution switching, a cell inlet, an open well for imaging, and a flow outlet.
The two units can be operated simultaneously, allowing comparison of two different experiment conditions with identical flow properties.
A #1.5 thickness glass bottom enables high NA imaging on an inverted microscope. The microfluidic plate will fit to any standard 96-well stage holder.
Validated for E. coli. Please contact info@cellasic.com to check on the suitability of other cell types.
The microfluidic cell imaging design is depicted in figure 2. The cell inlet leads first to 9 100x100x1.4 micron trapping regions and then to 15 50x100x0.9 micron traps. This enables optimized loading of cells from 0.8-2 micron. After loading, cells are held firmly in place by the elastomeric ceiling.
A key feature of the B2 design is the ability to change the solution exposed to the cells in real time. After switching the flow on the control panel, the solution in the cell trapping area will completely turn over as reported in Figure 5. Because of the highly laminar flow profile, a sharp boundary interface between the two solutions will "sweep" across the chamber without forming a mixing gradient. Cells closer to the flow inlets will experience proportionately faster exchange rates.
The expertly designed microfluidic network ensures rapid laminar flow exchange, continuous flows for over 3 days without refilling, and elimination of cross-flows between the exposure channels. |
