Novel design for a microfluidic-based platform for yeast replicative lifespan (RLS) analysis

Microfluidics; Photolithography; Replicative lifespan; Single cell trapping; Yeast; Cost effective; Fine tuning; Life-sciences; Lifespans; Microfluidic-based; Microfluidics devices; Novel design; Science applications; Single-cell trapping; Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials; Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics; Condensed Matter Physics; Surfaces, Coatings and Films; Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Abstract :

[en] Microfluidic devices hold enormous potential for the development of cost-effective and faster alternatives to existing traditional methods across life science applications. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating a microfluidic device by means of photolithography comprising a single cell trap, a delay structure and a chamber defined by micropillars. This device is aimed to be used for biological applications such as replicative lifespan determination (RLS) of yeast cells, where single cell trapping, and cell counting are essential. The novelty of the present work lies on the integration of the above-mentioned microfluidic structures in a single device by means of the established method of photolithography by fine-tuning critical parameters needed to achieve the desired high aspect ratio (1:5) employing commercially available resins. The fine-tuning of the fabrication parameters in combination with appropriately selected resins allows for patterning reproducibly micron-sized features. The design of the proposed device ultimately aims at replacing the very cumbersome assays still commonly used today for RLS determination in budding yeast by a methodology that is drastically simpler and more time efficient.

Disciplines :

Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Microbiology

Author, co-author :

KAPROU, Georgia ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > FSTM Faculty administration > Research Facilitators

Andar, Abhay; Center for Advanced Sensor Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, United States ; Potomac Photonics Inc., Baltimore, United States

SHAH, Pranjul ; University of Luxembourg > CRC > Advancement Office > Incubator

LINSTER, Carole ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) > Enzymology and Metabolism

PACZIA, Nicole ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine > Enzymology and Metabolism ; Core Facility for Metabolomics and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany

External co-authors :

yes

Language :

English

Title :

Novel design for a microfluidic-based platform for yeast replicative lifespan (RLS) analysis

Publication date :

June 2023

Journal title :

Micro and Nano Engineering

eISSN :

2590-0072

Publisher :

Elsevier B.V.

Volume :

Pages :

100199

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S2590007223000291?httpAccept=text/xml

Funders :

Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg

Funding text :

This research was supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) through a Proof-of-Concept grant (PoC19/13593527 - HAPPY) to CLL.

Available on ORBilu :

since 22 June 2025

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