Designing a Nano-Interface in a Microfluidic Chip to Probe Living Cells: Challenges and Perspectives

Nanotechnology-based materials are beginning to emerge as promising platforms for biomedical analysis, but measurement and control at the cell-chip interface remain challenging. This idea served as the basis for discussion in a focus group at the recent National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. In...

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Published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 103; no. 17; pp. 6419 - 6424
Main Authors Helmke, Brian P., Minerick, Adrienne R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States National Academy of Sciences 25.04.2006
Subjects
Anatomy & physiology
Biochemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Cell physiology
Cells
Design engineering
Electric fields
Electricity
Electrophoresis
Equipment Design
Integrated circuits
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation
Molecules
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology - instrumentation
Nanotechnology - standards
Perspective
Technology
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Summary:Nanotechnology-based materials are beginning to emerge as promising platforms for biomedical analysis, but measurement and control at the cell-chip interface remain challenging. This idea served as the basis for discussion in a focus group at the recent National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. In this Perspective, we first outline recent advances and limitations in measuring nanoscale mechanical, biochemical, and electrical interactions at the interface between biomaterials and living cells. Second, we present emerging experimental and conceptual platforms for probing living cells with nanotechnology-based tools in a microfluidic chip. Finally, we explore future directions and critical needs for engineering the cell-chip interface to create an integrated system capable of highresolution analysis and control of cellular physiology.
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Author contributions: B.P.H. and A.R.M. wrote the paper.
Edited by Peter G. Wolynes, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, and approved March 23, 2006
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0507304103