Culturing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mammalian cells with a microfluidic differential oxygenator

Raymond H. W. Lam, Min-Cheol Kim, Todd Thorsen

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

104 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this manuscript, we report on the culture of anaerobic and aerobic species within a disposable multilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device with an integrated differential oxygenator. A gas-filled microchannel network functioning as an oxygen - nitrogen mixer generates differential oxygen concentration. By controlling the relative flow rate of the oxygen and nitrogen input gases, the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in proximal microchannels filled with culture media are precisely regulated by molecular diffusion. Sensors consisting of an oxygen-sensitive dye embedded in the fluid channels permit dynamic fluorescence-based monitoring of the DO concentration using low-cost light-emitting diodes. To demonstrate the general utility of the platform for both aerobic and anaerobic culture, three bacteria with differential oxygen requirements ( E. coli, A. viscosus, and F. nucleatum), as well as a model mammalian cell line (murine embryonic fibroblast cells (3T3)), were cultured. Growth characteristics of the selected species were analyzed as a function of eight discrete DO concentrations, ranging from 0 ppm (anaerobic) to 42 ppm (fully saturated). © 2009 American Chemical Society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5918-5924
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume81
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

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