Generation of stable complex gradients across two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional gels. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Many chemical and biological processes are dependent on molecular gradients. We describe a new microfluidic approach that can be used to produce spatiotemporal gradients across two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional gels under flow-free conditions. Free diffusion between dynamically replenished flow channels acting as a sink and source is utilized to give rise to stable steady-state gradient profiles. The gradient profile is dictated by the engineered design of the device's gradient-generating region. Different designs can yield both linear and non-linear gradients of varying profiles. More complex gradients can be made by juxtaposing different designs within a single gradient-generating region. By fabricating an array of designs along the gradient-generating region, different gradient profiles can be generated simultaneously, allowing for parallel analysis. Additionally, simple methods of localizing gels into microdevices are demonstrated. The device was characterized by experimentally obtained gradient profiles of fluorescent molecules that corroborated closely with a simulated finite element model.

authors

  • Mosadegh, Bobak
  • Huang, Carlos
  • Park, Jeong Won
  • Shin, Hwa Sung
  • Chung, Bong Geun
  • Hwang, Sun-Kyu
  • Lee, Kun-Hong
  • Kim, Hyung Joon
  • Brody, James
  • Jeon, Noo Li

publication date

  • October 2, 2007

Research

keywords

  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 35948984518

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1021/la7026835

PubMed ID

  • 17910490

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 23

issue

  • 22