The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System uses microfluidic technology to enable continuous live-cell imaging with media flow. The proprietary design allows cells to be exposed to different solutions and conditions via pressurized flow channels controlled by user-specified time intervals and flow rates.

 The microfluidic plate can be used with typical inverted microscopes and fits a standard multiwell plate stage. The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System connects to the microfluidic plate via a pneumatic manifold that uses pressurized air to pump cells and liquids from the plate wells into the microfluidic cell culture chambers. A vacuum seal created between the manifold and the microfluidic plate ensures that each well is independent and that flow rates and fluid switching are accurate. Flow control is managed through a computer software program.

 This paper covers the setup and operation of the CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System (EV262), Microincubator Controller (MIC230), and Tri-Gas Mixer (GM230).

CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic Plate and Cell Type Compatibility

The Microfluidic Plates incorporate design templates that provide compatibility with a range of cell sizes and types as follows:

M04 Series Microfluidic Plates are compatible with any adherent or non-adherent mammalian cell line capable of culture on glass.

Examples: MCF-7, HeLa, NIH3T3, PC3, primary cells, stem cells

Y04 Series Microfluidic Plates are compatible with non-adherent cells that are 3.5–7 μm in diameter.

Examples: S. cerevisiae, S. pombe

B04 Microfluidic Plates are compatible with non-adherent cells that are 0.7–4.0 μm in diameter.

Examples: E. coli, B. subtilis, cyanobacteria

C04 Microfluidic Plates are compatible with non-adherent flagellates.

ADVANTAGES

1. The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System provides a total solution for controlling the perfusion and gas environment for time-lapse, live-cell imaging applications.

2. The CellASIC™ ONIX FG Software automates the entire experiment, allowing scheduled flow changes without supervision. Customized experiments can be performed by programming changes to media solutions, flow rates, and exposure times. The easy-to-use software is flexible and can generate simple solution switching protocols or advanced flow profiles.

3. The precision laminar flow maintained by the system creates a highly stable environment for cells. The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System requires only microliter volumes of fluid and can run for multiple days without refilling.

APPLICATIONS

The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System is perfect for any perfusion-based application. The following are some common applications:

Cell cycle analysis, 3D deconvolution

Protein localization

Cell migration

GFP/CFP/YFP expression

Long-term time-lapse imaging

Kinetic responses to solution change

Apoptosis

Cell fixing and immunostainin

Mitosis

CONCLUSION

The microfluidic plate can be used with typical inverted microscopes and fits a standard multiwell plate stage. The CellASIC™ ONIX Microfluidic System connects to the microfluidic plate via a pneumatic manifold that uses pressurized air to pump cells and liquids from the plate wells into the microfluidic cell culture chambers. A vacuum seal created between the manifold and the microfluidic plate ensures that each well is independent and that flow rates and fluid switching are accurate. Flow control is managed through a computer software program.