3D-PRINTED MICROFLUIDICS FOR HYDRODYNAMIC PARTICLE ARRAYING

Abstract

Cell trapping devices have become integral platforms for performing a wide variety of biological and medical studies, and have contributed to significant advances in many fields, including cellular development, drug testing, and cancer research. By enabling the isolation and immobilization of individual cells, constantly monitored and deliberately controlled experiments can be performed on dozens or hundreds of cells simultaneously, increasing the capabilities and scale of cellular research. One critical feature of many biomedical studies is the microinjection of foreign material into cells to observe their responses and changes in development. However, the performance of microinjections can be a very difficult and lengthy process due to the mobility of the cells and the size of the microneedles and can lead to inconsistent results with low success rates. This thesis introduces the next step in broadening the scope of array trapping devices. It combines the efficiency and ease of modern commercially available 3D printers with the established principles of hydrodynamic trapping to create a straightforward device for passively arraying zebrafish embryos. This device also includes a novel sliding lid to provide access to the embryos for microinjection. Through careful design and extensive testing, this trapping array successfully immobilized embryo-sized beads with 100% efficiency. After loading the beads, the top was easily removed without disturbing the beads, which remained primed and in a conducive environment for microinjection. This trapping array will allow the microinjection of zebrafish embryos through a more straightforward process, at a faster rate, and with increased uniformity. By integrating this trapping device into biomedical studies, experiments can be performed with higher success rates, leading to advances in many fields, including biological development, drug discovery, and disease modeling.