CellASIC ONIX Microfluidic Platform

The CellASIC ONIX Microfluidic Platform, in conjunction with the CellASIC ONIX Microfluidic Plates, provides perfusion-based microenvironment control for long-term, live cell microscopy.

The microfluidic chamber recreates the physiologic mass transport condition for optimised cell health. Upstream fluidic channels allow controlled exposure of the cells to different solutions during live imaging. The plates can also be cultured in a standard incubator using a dedicated gravity-driven flow channel.

The cells are in contact with a 170 μm optical glass surface, enabling high-quality imaging using an inverted microscope. An integrated micro-incubator system delivers temperature and gas control to the microfluidic chambers. The system integrates with most existing microscope systems to enable time-lapse experiments previously not possible.

A range of microfluidic plate designs has been used for the following applications: long-term culture of adherent and suspension cells; the creation of dynamic solution profiles (media switching and spatial gradient); immunostaining cells within the microfluidic chamber; host pathogen interaction studies; and analysing gene expression in addition to designs specifically for yeast and bacteria. Because gene expression is influenced by numerous cell cultural parameters, accuracy and physiological relevance of gene expression analysis can be enhanced by performing such analyses in a dynamically controlled, bio-inspired, microfluidic system.