Fewer cells in a smaller space: Cell activities in microfluidic devices
- 2012-01-02 (Mon.), 10:30 AM
- 中研院-統計所 2F 交誼廳
- 茶 會:上午10:10統計所二樓交誼廳
- Prof. Chau-Hwang Lee(李超煌 研究員)
- 本院應用科學研究中心
Abstract
Cell activities are largely affected by the physical and chemical parameters in the microenvironment. However, precise control of these parameters is generally tedious and responses of individual cells are usually various. In this presentation I will introduce the concept of microenvironmental control by using microfluidic devices. Because of the larger cell-to-volume ratios in such devices, cellular responses to the stimulations in the microenvironment are more evident, compared with the studies using conventional culture dishes. Therefore the numbers of observed cells can be reduced. We use this technique to investigate the dynamics of cancer-cell filopodia, which are needle-like cell-edge protrusions composed of actin bundles. We find that filopodia respond to regulators related to Cdc 42 as well as DC electric fields. I will also introduce our studies on the interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells in delicately designed microfluidic devices.