In
collaboration with Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics at the
University of Cambridge), Dolomite, a world leader in the design and
manufacture of microfluidic solutions, has designed a glass microfluidic device for a novel laser tool that allows the study of mechanical properties of cells using optical stretching on a single cell basis.
This
new device can be used to trap and deform individual biological cells
benefiting a wide range of application areas including cancer diagnosis,
stem cell analysis and cell sorting.
Working
closely with Dr. Jochen Guck and his team from the Cavendish Laboratory
Dolomite developed a multi-layered glass microfluidic chip featuring 3
inlets. Its unique design integrates both fluidic and optical fibre
channels allowing the chip to be used as a two beam laser optical trap
for cell mechanical measurements. One of the fabrication challenges was
to ensure the optical fibres were aligned to micron accuracy so that the
two laser beams met in a microchannel allowing the cells to be
captured.
After
aligning, the fluid-borne cells are exposed to laser beams, which
stretch them to probe their elasticity. Thus, cancerous cells, for
example, can be detected as they are softer than healthy cells. The
optical stretcher offers a very cost effective and time efficient
solution which compares favourably to traditional methods used to
measure cell mechanics.
For
further information on Dolomite's design expertise as well as the
complete portfolio of microfluidic products including chips, connectors/
interconnects, pumps, valves and custom devices please visit
www.dolomite-microfluidics.com.
For more information on the optical stretcher and Cavendish Laboratory, please contact Dr. Jochen Guck
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/people/guckj.phpThe Dolomite Centre LimitedEstablished
in 2005 as the world's first Microfluidic Application Centre, Dolomite
focused on working with customers to turn their concepts for
microfluidic applications into reality. Today, Dolomite is the world
leader in solving microfluidic problems. With offices in the UK and US
and distributors throughout the rest of the world, its clients range
from universities developing leading-edge analytical equipment, to
manufacturers of chemical, life sciences and clinical diagnostics
systems.
Dolomite
is pioneering the use of microfluidic devices for small-scale fluid
control and analysis, enabling manufacturers to develop more compact,
cost-effective and powerful instruments. By combining specialist glass,
quartz and ceramic technologies with knowledge of high performance
microfluidics, Dolomite is able to provide solutions for a broad range
of application areas including environmental monitoring, clinical
diagnostics, food and beverage, nuclear, agriculture, petrochemical,
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Furthermore Dolomite's
in-house micro-fabrication facilities that include clean rooms and
precision glass processing facilities allow to prototype and test all
solutions rapidly which ensures a faster development cycle and reduces
the time to market.
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