Pneumatic stimulation of C. elegans mechanoreceptor neurons in a microfluidic trap
Journal article, 2017

New tools for applying force to animals, tissues, and cells are critically needed in order to advance the field of mechanobiology, as few existing tools enable simultaneous imaging of tissue and cell deformation as well as cellular activity in live animals. Here, we introduce a novel microfluidic device that enables high-resolution optical imaging of cellular deformations and activity while applying precise mechanical stimuli to the surface of the worm's cuticle with a pneumatic pressure reservoir. To evaluate device performance, we compared analytical and numerical simulations conducted during the design process to empirical measurements made with fabricated devices. Leveraging the well-characterized touch receptor neurons (TRNs) with an optogenetic calcium indicator as a model mechanoreceptor neuron, we established that individual neurons can be stimulated and that the device can effectively deliver steps as well as more complex stimulus patterns. This microfluidic device is therefore a valuable platform for investigating the mechanobiology of living animals and their mechanosensitive neurons.

Mechanosensory Neurons

DEG/ENAC

Ion Channels

Touch Receptor Neurons

On-Chip

Light

Mechanotransduction

Sensation

Differentiation

Caenorhabditis-Elegans

Author

A. L. Nekimken

Stanford University

H. Fehlauer

Stanford University

Anna Kim

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry

S. N. Manosalvas-Kjono

Stanford University

P. Ladpli

Stanford University

F. Memon

Stanford University

D. Gopisetty

Stanford University

V. Sanchez

Stanford University

M. B. Goodman

Stanford University

B. L. Pruitt

Stanford University

M. Krieg

Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques

Stanford University

Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology

1473-0197 (ISSN) 1473-0189 (eISSN)

Vol. 17 6 1116-1127

Subject Categories

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

DOI

10.1039/c6lc01165a

More information

Latest update

3/6/2018 1