Microfabricated devices for bio-applications

This paper focuses on the development of two MEMS-based devices for lab-on-a-chip bio-applications. The first device is designed to facilitate cell secretion studies by enabling parallel electrochemical detection with millisecond resolution. Initial prototypes of micro-arrays have been fabricated with Cr/Au microelectrodes on various substrates such as polyimide, SU-8 and SiO2. An FT cell-line (bullfrog fibroblast, American Tissue Culture Collection) has been successfully established and cultured directly on these prototype micro-arrays. It is well known that the FT cells can uptake hormones or other macromolecules from the culture media through a non-specific uptake mechanism which is still under investigation. After culturing on micro-arrays, FT cells were loaded with norepinephrine of various concentrations by incubation in the culture media supplied with norepinephrines. Rapid elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels triggers the exocytosis of norepinephrine which then can be detected by the Cr/Au electrodes. Microfabrication of these prototype micro-arrays as well as cell culture and electrochemical detection results will be presented in this paper. The second device is designed for 3-dimensional transportation of living cells on chips. Initial prototypes of micro-arrays were fabricated with SU-8 buried channels on a silicon substrate. Both single-layered and double-layered SU-8 buried channels have been realized to enable 2D and 3D cell transportation. Stained solutions were used to visualize fluid transport through the channel networks. Following this, living FT cells in solution were successfully transported through single-layered SU-8 channels. Testing of 3D transportation of living FT cells is underway. Microfabrication of these prototype micro-arrays and living cell transportation on chips will also be presented in this paper.