Light-Directed Migration of D. discoideum Slugs in Microfabricated Confinements.
Sens Actuators A Phys
; 188: 312-319, 2012 Dec 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24723742
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the light-driven migration of the multi-cellular microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum as a potential bio-actuation mechanism in microsystems. As a platform for slug migration we use microscale confinements, which consist of intersecting microchannels fabricated from solidified agar-water solution. The agar surface provides necessary moisture to the slugs during the experiment while remaining sufficiently stiff to allow effective slug migration. The movements of the slugs in the microchannels are driven and guided by phototaxis via controlling light transmitted through optical fibers. The microchannels impose geometrical confinements on the migrating slugs, improving the spatial precision of the migration. We demonstrate that slugs that form in a microchamber can be driven to migrate through the microchannels, as well as steered to a particular direction at microchannel intersections. Our experimental results indicate that slug movements can be more effectively controlled in microchannels, and potentially useful for bio-actuation applications.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sens Actuators A Phys
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article