Electrolytic patterning of dissolved oxygen microgradients during cell culture

Abstract

We present a microsystem capable of electrochemically patterning the dissolved oxygen gradients present in cell culture. Multiple microelectrodes in an array are separated from the cells by an oxygen permeable membrane. Each electrode generates distinct amounts of dissolved oxygen via electrolysis; these different sources superimpose to generate one-and two-dimensional microgradient profiles not possible with other methods. We believe this is the first technology that enables researchers to pattern localized oxygen doses and program arbitrary oxygen gradients with microscale resolution during cell culture. We present fluorescent and colorimetric data on the construction of two-dimensional oxygen microgradients in aqueous solution and preliminary cell culture results with C2C12 rat myoblasts.

A Micro "Flea Circus": Self Assembly of Bacteria Through Spatio-Temporal Control of Aerotaxis

“…Our method is based on an electrochemical oxygen-dosing technology developed by our group [1,2]. Figure 2b illustrates the basic concept.…”

“…Note that a gas-permable membrane effectively separates the DI water from the bacterial suspension. Dissolved oxygen (no bubbles) is generated in the DI water when at a Ti/Pt microelectrode is biased as an anode and current is run between it and a microelectrode Ti/Pt cathode (not shown and positioned distant from the anode and area under test, see [1]). This generated oxygen is then free to diffuse through the PDMS membrane and into the cells above; in this way, microelectrodes can be used to generate oxygenated areas in cell culture.…”