MICROCHANNELS FABRICATION KIT

Make your own microchannels for cell assays

4Dcell Expoxy mold microchannels

Cells are loaded into a central chamber communicating with multiple microchannels that can be analyzed simultaneously by microscopy.
Live Cell Imaging: compatible with high resolution live microscopy

 

> CONTROL OVER THE PROTOCOL

All the tools needed to do chips by yourself

 

> VARIOUS MICROCHANNELS DESIGNS

Choose 4 molds between small, medium and large microchannels designs

 

> AUTONOMY AND AFFORDABLE EXPERIMENT

Make 100 microchannels chips and keep the knowledge in your lab

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR MICROCHANNELS FABRICATION KIT

How to make microchannels for cell migration

FEATURES & BENEFITS

WHICH KIT FITS YOUR NEEDS?

 

If you never made any microchannels:

Microchannels Station (microchannels box + plasma cleaner)

 

If you already have a binding tool (for example a plasma cleaner):
Microchannels Box (supplies box + microchannels mold)

 

If you have all the equipment but want to access the best chemicals:
Supplies Box (silicone precursors, glass bottom petri dishes and solutions)

 

Each element can also be ordered separately.

Microchannels fabrication kit content

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN MICROCHANNELS?

 

To manufacture 100 chips, each 4DCell microchannels kit contains:

 

> 1 x Silicone precursors to make 100 chips

> 2 x graduated plastic cups to measure the quantity of elastomer needed

> 1 x glass spatula to homogenize the PDMS with its curing agent

> 4 x individual molds to shape the silicone into the upper part of the chip containing the microchannels

> 1 x Scalpel to unmold the chip

> 1 x Thin glass bottom 35 mm petri dishes to make the lower part of the microchannels, and to observe cells with a microscope

> 1 x punches round to cut 3 mm holes into the chip

> 1 x Aliquots of extracellular matrix protein for cell adhesion (for example, fibronectin)

> 1 x Plasma cleaner to activate the surface of the chip and allow its bonding to the glass

 

The mold on which the microchannels shapes are defined is the key element.
Several series of shapes are available, for migration assay with various sizes, shapes and profiles.
We put our expertise at your disposal to help you make your choice.

MICROCHANNELS’ DIMENSIONS

 

The 3D shape and stress conditions imposed to your cells depend on the microchannels size. Each chip has 6 ranges of microchannels and 9 access ports.

Microchannels features
Small microchannels cell migration

Small microchannels chip design available in different heights (MC001, MC002, MC003, MC004)

Medium microchannels cell migration

Medium microchannels chip design (MC005)

MICROCHANNELS WITH CONSTRICTIONS

Microchannels with constrictions, cell deformation, nucleus mecanism
constriction microchannels
Microchannels with constrictions, cell deformation, nucleus mecanism

Example of a 4Dcell microchannel with a constriction of 1.5 µm width.

CANCER

 

> Migration of metastatic cells

> Nuclear plasicity in mestastasis

> DNA DSB repair (mechanically induced)

> Angiogenesis

> Immuno-oncology

 

IMMUNOLOGY

 

> Cell-cell interaction

> Migration of immune cells

> Antigene searching

> Extravasation/diapedesis

> Chemotaxis/haptotaxis

 

ORGAN PHYSIOLOGY

 

> Migration of cancer cells

> Shear stress

> Angiogenesis

> Epithelium permeability/brain blood barrier

> Neural network

 

RARE DISEASES

 

> Cell nucleus integrity

> Nuclear plasticity

> Neural network

 

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

 

> Cell adhesion

Example of iBMD Cells migrating within microchannels of different sizes (0.5 image/min)
Réf. video by 4Dcell partner Dr Pablo Vargas, Curie Institute/UMR144

OTHER PRODUCT RELATED TO MICROCHANNELS