Millipore Technical Publications |
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Microincubator for Long-Term, Live Cell Microscopy and Hypoxic Culture | ||
| Lit No: | AN4488EN00 | |
| Year: | 2012 | |
| Introduction Live cell imaging technology has made extraordinary progress in recent years, with improvements in microscopy, cellular probes, and genetic engineering. The ability to perform live cell experiments within microfluidic chambers further extends the precision and biological relevance of in vitro studies. One of the major technical challenges for long-term cell imaging is being able to control the temperature and gas composition of the cell environment during the course of the experiment, without impeding optical access to the cells. This is complicated by the proximity of microscope elements (objective lens, condenser, stage), as well as the need for an unobstructed light path through the sample without hindering stage or objective movement. These challenges facing live cell analysis can be met by using microfluidics-based cell culture, which uses very small volumes of fluidics and culture chambers, to enable dynamic changes in gas and temperature conditions. Such a small thermal footprint allows the user to perform precise, quick changes of temperature or gas conditions during live cell experimentation, without interfering with optical analysis and enabling experiments that have traditionally been hard to perform. For example, the cost and inconvenience of performing experiments in static, hypoxic conditions have, until now, hindered the study of cell behavior in low-oxygen environments. However, having dynamic environmental control during live cell analysis can make such experiments possible. Therefore, a microfluidic platform is a promising basis on which to design an improved live cell incubation system with dynamic control. Here, we demonstrate the application of the CellASIC™ ONIX Microincubator Controller for long-term, live cell culture and imaging. Click the PDF above for the full document. | |
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