Dolomite and Cavendish Laboratory Develop Innovative Device for Optical Micromanipulation of Cells
(Nanowerk News) In collaboration with Cavendish Laboratory
(Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge), Dolomite, a world leader in the
design and manufacture of microfluidic solutions, has designed a glass microfluidic
device for a novel laser tool that allows the study of mechanical properties of
cells using optical stretching on a single cell basis.
This new device can be used to trap and deform individual biological cells benefitting a
wide range of application areas including cancer diagnosis, stem cell analysis and cell
sorting.
Working closely with Dr. Jochen Guck and his team from the Cavendish Laboratory
Dolomite developed a multi-layered glass microfluidic chip featuring 3 inlets. Its unique
design integrates both fluidic and optical fibre channels allowing the chip to be used as
a two beam laser optical trap for cell mechanical measurements. One of the fabrication
challenges was to ensure the optical fibres were aligned to micron accuracy so that the
two laser beams met in a microchannel allowing the cells to be captured.
After aligning, the fluid-borne cells are exposed to laser beams, which stretch them to
probe their elasticity. Thus, cancerous cells, for example, can be detected as they are
softer than healthy cells. The optical stretcher offers a very cost effective and time
efficient solution which compares favourably to traditional methods used to measure
cell mechanics.
For further information on Dolomite's design expertise as well as the complete portfolio
of microfluidic products including chips, connectors/ interconnects, pumps, valves and
custom devices please visit www.dolomite microfluidics.com.
The Dolomite Centre Limited
Established in 2005 as the world's first Microfluidic Application Centre, Dolomite focused on working with
customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. Today, Dolomite is the world leader
in solving microfluidic problems. With offices in the UK and US and distributors throughout the rest of the
world, its clients range from universities developing leading-edge analytical equipment, to manufacturers of
chemical, life sciences and clinical diagnostics systems.
Dolomite is pioneering the use of microfluidic devices for small-scale fluid control and analysis, enabling
manufacturers to develop more compact, cost-effective and powerful instruments. By combining specialist
glass, quartz and ceramic technologies with knowledge of high performance microfluidics, Dolomite is able to
provide solutions for a broad range of application areas including environmental monitoring, clinical
diagnostics, food and beverage, nuclear, agriculture, petrochemical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and
chemicals. Furthermore Dolomite's in-house micro-fabrication facilities that include clean rooms and precision
glass processing facilities allow to prototype and test all solutions rapidly which ensures a faster development
cycle and reduces the time to market.
For more information please visit www.dolomite-microfluidics.com.
For more information on the optical stretcher and Cavendish Laboratory, please contact Dr. Jochen Guck
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/people/guckj.php
Printer-friendly
E-mail this article
Daily News Email Digest
News Feeds
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
