Stable chemical bonding of porous membranes and poly(dimethylsiloxane) devices for
long-term cell culture |
| |
Authors: | Christopher G Sip A Folch |
| |
Institution: | Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98185, USA |
| |
Abstract: | We have investigated the bonding stability of various silane treatments for the integration of
track-etched membranes with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices. We compare various
treatments using trialkoxysilanes or dipodal silanes to determine the effect of the organofunctional
group, cross-link density, reaction solvent, and catalyst on the bond stability. We find that
devices made using existing silane methods delaminated after one day when immersed in cell culture
medium at 37 °C. In contrast, the dipodal silane, bis3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine, is shown to
yield stable and functional integration of membranes with PDMS that is suitable for long-term cell
culture. To demonstrate application of the technique, we fabricated an open-surface device in which
cells cultured on a track-etched membrane can be stimulated at their basal side via embedded
microfluidic channels. C2C12 mouse myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes over the course of
two weeks on these devices to demonstrate biocompatibility. Finally, devices were imaged during the
basal-side delivery of a fluorescent stain to validate the membrane operation and long-term
stability of the bonding technique. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|