Under-Oil Microfluidics sytem for cell culture

Project Overview

Microfluidics is the study of the behavior of fluids through micro-channels[1]. The current state of microfluidics in the world is lacking a key method of studying cell cultures with applied linear movement. In vitro cellular microenvironments are the best way to study how cells will interact in the human body.[2] Our client Dr. Chao Li at Beebe lab has discovered a new branch of microfluidics, under-oil open microfluidics using ELR or exclusive liquid repellency. This allows for the study of cells in an environment that mimics the human body. This development is allowing for more accurate testing of pharmaceutical drugs as well as other treatments that are used to fight infection, disease, among other things. Continuing off of the previous semester's work, the team will use the lab’s current the linear motor box or discuss with our client buying a new one to conduct testing on its ability to protect the motor from the humidity of the cellular incubator. The main focus of the project this semester will be redesigning the mechanical tray that will hold the cells, as well gaining training on creating cell cultures from Dr. Li. The tray design will have 4 sections that will house the cells on PDMS, with a connection bar across the sections connected to a slider on the sides for the mechanical movement that will be put onto it by the linear motor. The most important aspect of the design will be a piece that will adhere to the PDMS strip which can connect to the cross bar of the tray.

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members

• Jeremy Kolasa - Team Leader
• Brendan Doherty - Communicator & BSAC
• Tony Pribnow - BWIG
• Daniel Konon - BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. Wan-Ju Li - Advisor
• Dr. Chao Li - Client
• Prof. Dave Beebe - Alternate Contact

Related Projects

• Spring 2023: Under-oil micro tissue system with computer-controlled mechanical cues
• Fall 2022: Under-oil micro tissue system with computer-controlled mechanical cues