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Reversible Integration of Microfluidic Devices with Microelectrode Arrays for Neurobiological Applications

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Abstract

The majority of current state-of-the-art microfluidic devices are fabricated via replica molding of the fluidic channels into PDMS elastomer and then permanently bonding it to a Pyrex surface using plasma oxidation. This method presents a number of problems associated with the bond strengths, versatility, applicability to alternative substrates, and practicality. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate a more practical method of integrating microfluidics which is superior in terms of bond strengths, reversible, and applicable to a larger variety of substrates, including microfabricated devices. To achieve the above aims, a modular microfluidic system, capable of reversible microfluidic device integration, simultaneous surface patterning and multichannel fluidic perfusion, was built. To demonstrate the system’s potential, the ability to control the distribution of A549 cells inside a microfluidic channel was tested. Then, the system was integrated with a chemically patterned microelectrode array, and used it to culture primary, rat embryo spinal cord neurons in a dynamic fluidic environment. The results of this study showed that this system has the potential to be a cost effective and importantly, a practical means of integrating microfluidics. The system’s robustness and the ability to withstand extensive manual handling have the additional benefit of reducing the workload. It also has the potential to be easily integrated with alternative substrates such as stainless steel or gold without extensive chemical modifications. The results of this study are of significant relevance to research involving neurobiological applications, where primary cell cultures on microelectrode arrays require this type of flexible integrated solution.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Program for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) and the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform Ireland (NBIPI). Paul Galvin acknowledges the financial support of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under grant numbers SFI/12/RC/2289, SFI 12/RC/2272, SFI 10/CE/B1821 and SFI 07/CE/I1147.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

    Konstantin Grygoryev, Nathan Jackson & Paul Galvin

  2. Lorraine University, LCPME: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Microbiology for the Environment, Lorraine University, 405, Rue de Vandoeuvre, 54601, Villers-lès, Nancy, France

    Grégoire Herzog

  3. Nanochemistry Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Damien W. M. Arrigan

  4. Department of Anatomy, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, Ireland

    Kieran McDermott

  5. Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Jörg Strutwolf

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  1. Konstantin Grygoryev
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Correspondence to Konstantin Grygoryev.

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Grygoryev, K., Herzog, G., Jackson, N. et al. Reversible Integration of Microfluidic Devices with Microelectrode Arrays for Neurobiological Applications. BioNanoSci. 4, 263–275 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-014-0137-6

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