MASSIVELY PARALLEL HIGH THROUGHPUT SINGLE-CELL OPTOPORATION

Abstract

Massively parallel high throughput single-cell optoperation and their uses thereof are disclosed. The disclosed method teaches the use of parallel single-cell printing technique using SU-8 membrane and nanosecond pulsed laser to espouse on single-cell with micro-dish pattern structure. The platform is able to effectively deliver different (small to large) cargo in a different cell type with high transfection efficiency and high cell viability at parallel single-cell resolution. The proposed Bio-MEMS device has potential applications in personalized and regenerative medicine.

Claims

1. A method for printing massively parallel high throughput single cell and their uses thereof, said method comprising: a thin membrane material (SU-8 membrane material) with an array of holes is fabricated using photolithography technique in order to use the membrane material as a cell printing platform, where the cells are cultured and seeded in a high density, wherein the size of the array of holes of the membrane material are designed such that the single-cells can pass through the holes of the membrane material; an array of micro dish patterned metal on a glass substrate was flipped and placed on the membrane material, such that the metal faces the patterned cells; and the cell printing platform is exposed with a pulsed laser at near infrared wavelength (NIR) to create plasmonic/vapor induced bubbles wherein the bubbles create pores in the cell membrane and the membrane is used to diffuse desired molecules in the single-cell in massively parallel high throughput fashion.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cell printing platform is prepared by cutting a micro slide glass was cut into a square (2 x2 cm) and cleaning the glass with standard piranha cleaning process wherein the glass was further dried with nitrogen blow and dehydrated.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising SU-8 3005 was spin coated on the substrate, patterned and then ultra-sonicated in developer for 1 minute to release the patterned membrane. The sample was cleaned with iso propanol alcohol (IPA) and deionized water, dried using nitrogen.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising membrane was peeled off from the substrate and put into a petri dish wherein the petri dish was UV treated with the Su8 membrane for 2 hrs.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising and seeding culturing the cells in a high density on the Su8 membrane wherein the size of the SU-8 membrane holes are designed such that single-cells can pass through the holes.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heterogeneous cell lines can be co-cultured and patterned using the Su8 membrane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings shown here are for illustration purpose and the actual system will not be limited by the size, shape, and arrangement of components or number of components represented in the drawings.

[0021] FIGS. 1(a)-1(i) illustrates a schematic view 100 of the cell culturing platform (SU-8 membrane) demonstrating various steps involved in method of printing massively parallel high throughput single cell, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrate a exemplary graphical representation 200 of single-cells printing (calcein AM staining) using SU-8 membrane holes using an array of 50 .Math.m hole size and 100 .Math.m interspacing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary graphical representation 300 of single-cell (SiHa cells) printing using SU-8 membrane holes using an array of 40 .Math.m holes size and 100 .Math.m interspacing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation 400 of fluorescence image of massively parallel high throughput single-cell drug delivery to spatially isolated SiHa cells (Cervical cancer), in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

[0026] FIGS. 1(a)-1(i) illustrates a schematic view 100 of the cell culturing platform (SU-8 membrane) demonstrating various steps involved in method of printing massively parallel high throughput single cell, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The method teaches use of parallel single-cell printing technique using SU-8 membrane and nano-second pulsed laser to espouse on single-cell with micro-dish pattern structure. The platform is able to effectively deliver different (small to large) cargo in a different cell type with high transfection efficiency and high cell viability at parallel single-cell resolution. The bio-MEMS device proposed herein has potential application in personalized medicine and regenerative medicine applications.

[0027] A thin membrane material (SU-8 membrane material) with an array of holes is fabricated using photolithography technique in order to use the membrane material as a cell printing platform, where the cells are cultured and seeded in a high density (as shown in FIG. 1(d)), wherein the size of the array of holes of the membrane material are designed such that the single-cells can pass through the holes of the membrane material, as shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b). An array of micro dish patterned metal on a glass substrate was flipped and placed on the membrane material, such that the metal faces the patterned cells, as illustrated in FIG. 1(h). The cell printing platform is exposed with a pulsed laser at near infrared wavelength (NIR) to create plasmonic/vapor induced bubbles wherein the bubbles create pores in the cell membrane, due to shock waves generated by bubble expansion, coalesce and collapse. The membrane can be used to diffuse desired molecules in the single-cell in massively parallel high throughput fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 1(i).

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrate a exemplary graphical representation 200 of single-cells printing (calcein AM staining) using SU-8 membrane holes using an array of 50 .Math.m hole size and 100 .Math.m interspacing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 2 shows successfully colonies of single-cell printing using SU-8 membrane with 50 .Math.m hole size and 100 .Math.m interspacing (Calcein AM staining indicating live cells with an array of single-cells).

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary graphical representation 300 of single-cell (SiHa cells) printing using SU-8 membrane holes using an array of 40 .Math.m holes size and 100 .Math.m interspacing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrates the optical micrograph images of single cell and FIGS. 3c and 3d illustrates the cell permeable Calcein AM images after an array of single-cell adhesion.

[0030] The cell printing platform is prepared by cutting a micro slide glass was cut into a square (2 ×2 cm) and cleaning the glass with standard piranha cleaning process. The glass was further dried with nitrogen blow and dehydrated. SU-8 3005 was ultra-sonicated for 1 minute to release the membrane and the sample was cleaned with iso propanol alcohol (IPA) and deionized water, dried using nitrogen, as shown in FIG. 1(c).

[0031] The membrane was then peeled off from the substrate and put into a petri dish, as illustrated in FIG. 1(e). The petri dish was UV treated with the Su8 membrane for 2 hrs. Cells were cultured and seeded in a high density on the Su8 membrane. The size of the SU-8 membrane holes are designed such that single-cells can pass through the holes. In one embodiment of the proposed invention, the Su8 membrane with 35 .Math.m through holes was found suitable for SiHa cells. However, the diameter of through holes in the Su8 membrane for achieving single cell patterning can vary from cell to cell. Please note that by tuning the diameter of through holes, the number of cells per patterned region can be controlled.

[0032] Additionally, heterogeneous cell lines can also be co-cultured and patterned using the Su8 membrane which can have potential applications in studying cell signaling, cell heterogeneity, intracellular delivery and cell therapy and diagnostics etc, as illustrated in FIG. 1(e).

[0033] Further, an array of micro dish patterned metal on glass substrate was flipped and placed on the Su8 membrane, such that the metal faces the patterned cells. The sample was exposed with pulsed laser at near infrared wavelength (NIR) to create plasmonic or vapor induced bubbles. These bubbles create pore in the cell membrane due to shock waves generated by bubble expansion, coalesce and collapse. Once, membrane pore is created, it can be used to diffuse any desired molecules in the single-cell in massively parallel high throughput fashion.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation 400 of fluorescence image of massively parallel high throughput single-cell drug delivery to spatially isolated SiHa cells (Cervical cancer), in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. FIGS. 4a and 4d illustrates successful PI dye delivery into single-cell. FIGS. 4b and 4e indicate cell permeable Calcein AM staining and cells are live after delivery. FIGS. 4c and 4d illustrates the merge image of FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d accordingly. The invention proposed herein thereby teaches a novel and inventive approach for introduction of foreign cargo into single-cells with high efficiency and high cell viability is a wide range of cellular biological research and therapeutic applications.

[0035] It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.