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Continuous cell partitioning using an aqueous two‐phase flow system in microfluidic devices
Author(s) -
Yamada Masumi,
Kasim Vivi,
Nakashima Megumi,
Edahiro Jun'ichi,
Seki Minoru
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.20276
Subject(s) - microchannel , microscale chemistry , microfluidics , laminar flow , aqueous solution , volumetric flow rate , flow (mathematics) , materials science , phase (matter) , aqueous two phase system , biochip , biological system , chromatography , nanotechnology , chemistry , mechanics , mathematics , organic chemistry , physics , mathematics education , biology
We present a novel microfluidic system in which an aqueous two‐phase laminar flow is stably formed, and the continuous partitioning of relatively large cells can be performed, eliminating the influence of gravity. In this study, plant cell aggregates whose diameters were 37–96 μm were used as model particles. We first performed cell partitioning using a simple straight microchannel having two inlets and two outlets and examined the effects of the flow rate and the phase width on partitioning efficiency. Second, by using a microchannel with a pinched segment, the partitioning efficiency was successfully improved. This microscale aqueous two‐phase flow system can further be incorporated into micro total analysis systems (μTAS) or lab‐on‐a‐chip technology, owing to its simplicity, applicability, and biocompatibility. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.