Abstract

Microfluidics can be used to generate flow-driven gradients of chemotropic guidance cues with precisely controlled steepnesses for indefinite lengths of time. Neuronal cells grown in the presence of these gradients can be studied for their response to the effects exerted by the cues. Here we describe a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics chamber capable of producing linear gradients of soluble factors, stable for at least 18 h, suitable for axon guidance studies. Using this device we demonstrate turning of superior cervical ganglion axons by gradients of nerve growth factor (NGF). The chamber produces robust gradients, is inexpensive to mass produce, can be mounted on a tissue culture dish or glass coverslip for long term time-lapse microscopy imaging, and is suitable for immunostaining.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages273-285
Number of pages13
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1407
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Keywords

  • Axon guidance
  • Chemotaxis
  • Chemotropic cue
  • Gradient
  • Microfluidic
  • Nerve growth factor
  • Superior cervical ganglion

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