Hourglass SiO2 coating increases the performance of planar patch-clamp.

International audienceObtaining high-throughput electrophysiological recordings is an ongoing challenge in ion channel biophysics and drug discovery. One particular area of development is the replacement of glass pipettes with planar devices in order to increase throughput. However, successful patch-clamp recordings depend on a surface coating which ideally should promote and stabilize giga-seal formation. Here, we present data supporting the use of a structured SiO(2) coating to improve the ability of cells to form a "seal" with a planar patch-clamp substrate. The method is based on a correlation study taking into account structure and size of the pores, surface roughness and chip capacitance. The influence of these parameters on the quality of the seal was assessed. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) of SiO(2) led to an hourglass structure of the pore and a tighter seal than that offered by a flat, thermal SiO(2) surface. The performance of PECVD chips was validated by recording recombinant potassium channels, BK(Ca), expressed in stable HEK-293 cell lines and in inducible CHO cell lines and low conductance IRK1, and endogenous cationic currents from CHO cells. This multiparametric investigation led to the production of improved chips for planar patch-clamp applications which allow electrophysiological recordings from a wide range of cell lines

The development of high quality seals for silicon patch-clamp chips.

International audiencePlanar patch-clamp is a two-dimensional variation of traditional patch-clamp. By contrast to classical glass micropipette, the seal quality of silicon patch-clamp chips (i.e. seal resistance and seal success rate) have remained poor due to the planar geometry and the nature of the substrate and thus partially obliterate the advantages related to planar patch-clamp. The characterization of physical parameters involved in seal formation is thus of major interest. In this paper, we demonstrate that the physical characterization of surfaces by a set of techniques (Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), surface energy (polar and dispersive contributions), drop angles, impedance spectroscopy, combined with a statistical design of experiments (DOE)) allowed us discriminating chips that provide relevant performances for planar patch-clamp analysis. Analyses of seal quality demonstrate that dispersive interactions and micropore size are the most crucial physical parameters of chip surfaces, by contrast to surface roughness and dielectric membrane thickness. This multi-scale study combined with electrophysiological validation of chips on a diverse set of cell-types expressing various ion channels (IRK1, hERG and hNa(v)1.5 channels) unveiled a suitable patch-clamp chip candidate. This original approach may inspire novel strategies for selecting appropriate surface parameters dedicated to biochips

Device for dispensing microfluidic droplets, particularly for cytometry

The invention relates to a device for dispensing droplets comprising a first channel (8, 10), known as the main channel, for circulating a first liquid flow, a second channel (12, 13) for circulating fluid, forming an intersection area (27) with the first channel and being terminated by an ejection opening (20), means (4) for measuring a physical property of particles or cells in the first channel (18), and means for producing a pressure wave in the second channel (12,13)

Controlled 3D culture in Matrigel microbeads to analyze clonal acinar development

International audienc

Multiorgan-on-a-Chip: A Systemic Approach To Model and Decipher Inter-Organ Communication

Multiorgan-on-a-chip (multi-OoC) platforms have great potential to redefine the way in which human health research is conducted. After briefly reviewing the need for comprehensive multiorgan models with a systemic dimension, we highlight scenarios in which multiorgan models are advantageous. We next overview existing multi-OoC platforms, including integrated body-on-a-chip devices and modular approaches involving interconnected organ-specific modules. We highlight how multi-OoC models can provide unique information that is not accessible using single-OoC models. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges for the realization of multi-OoC platforms and their worldwide adoption. We anticipate that multi-OoC technology will metamorphose research in biology and medicine by providing holistic and personalized models for understanding and treating multisystem diseases

Deciphering Cell Intrinsic Properties: A Key Issue for Robust Organoid Production

International audienceWe highlight the disposition of various cell types to self-organize into complexorgan-like structures without necessarily the support of any stromal cells,provided they are placed into permissive 3D culture conditions. The goal ofgenerating organoids reproducibly and efficiently has been hampered by poorunderstanding of the exact nature of the intrinsic cell properties at the origin oforganoid generation, and of the signaling pathways governing their differen-tiation. Using microtechnologies like microfluidics to engineer organoidswould create opportunities for single-cell genomics and high-throughputfunctional genomics to exhaustively characterize cell intrinsic properties. Amore complete understanding of the development of organoids wouldenhance their relevance as models to study organ morphology, function,and disease and would open new avenues in drug development and regener-ative medicine

3D lens-free time-lapse microscopy for 3D cell culture

National audienc

Lensfree diffractive tomography for the imaging of 3D cell cultures

International audienceNew microscopes are needed to help reaching the full potential of 3D organoid culture studies by gathering large quantitative and systematic data over extended periods of time while preserving the integrity of the living sample. In order to reconstruct large volumes while preserving the ability to catch every single cell, we propose new imaging platforms based on lens-free microscopy, a technic which is addressing these needs in the context of 2D cell culture, providing label-free and non-phototoxic acquisition of large datasets. We built lens-free diffractive tomography setups performing multi-angle acquisitions of 3D organoid cultures embedded in Matrigel TM and developed dedicated 3D holographic reconstruction algorithms based on the Fourier diffraction theorem. Nonetheless, holographic setups do not record the phase of the incident wave front and the biological samples in Petri dish strongly limit the angular coverage. These limitations introduce numerous artefacts in the sample reconstruction. We developed several methods to overcome them, such as multi-wavelength imaging or iterative phase retrieval. The most promising technic currently developed is based on a regularised inverse problem approach directly applied on the 3D volume to reconstruct. 3D reconstructions were performed on several complex samples such as 3D networks or spheroids embedded in capsules with large reconstructed volumes up to ∼ 25 mm^3 while still being able to identify single cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an inverse problem approach is implemented in the context of lens-free diffractive tomography enabling to reconstruct large fully 3D volumes of unstained biological samples

A simple method for the reconstitution of membrane proteins into giant unilamellar vesicles.

International audienceA simple method for the reconstitution of membrane protein from submicron proteoliposomes into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is presented here: This method does not require detergents, fusion peptides or a dehydration step of the membrane protein solution. In a first step, GUVs of lipids were formed by electroformation, purified and concentrated; and in a second step, the concentrated GUV solution was added to a small volume of vesicles or proteoliposomes. Material transfer from submicron vesicles and proteoliposomes to GUVs occurred spontaneously and was characterized with fluorescent microscopy and patch-clamp recordings. As a functional test, the voltage-dependent, anion-selective channel protein was reconstituted into GUVs, and its electrophysiological activity was monitored with the patch clamp. This method is versatile since it is independent of the presence of the protein, as demonstrated by the fusion of fluorescently labeled submicron vesicles and proteoliposomes with GUVs

3D LENSFREE MICROSCOPY FOR 3D CELL CULTURE

International audienceNew microscopes are needed to help realize the full potential of 3D organoid culture studies by gathering large quantitative and systematic data over extended period of time while preserving the integrity of the living sample. In order to reconstruct large volume while keeping the ability to catch every single cell, we propose new imaging platforms based on lensfree microscopy, a technic which is addressing these needs in the context of 2D cell culture, providing label-free and non-phototoxic acquisition of large datasets. We have built lensfree diffractive tomography setups performing multi-angle acquisitions of 3D organoid culture embedded in Matrigel ® and developed dedicated 3D holographic reconstruction algorithms based on the Fourier diffraction theorem. Nonetheless, holographic setups do not record the phase of the incident wavefront and the biological samples in Petri dish strongly limit the angular coverage. These limitations introduces numerous artefacts in the sample reconstruction. We developed several methods to overcome them, such as multi wavelength imaging or iterative phase retrieval. The most promising technic currently developed is based on a regularized inverse problem approach directly performed on the 3D volume to reconstruct. 3D reconstructions were realized on several complex samples such as 3D networks or spheroids embedded in capsules with large reconstructed volumes up to ~25 mm^3 while still being able to identify single cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an inverse problem approach is implemented in the context of lensfree diffractive tomography enabling to reconstruct large volume of unstained biological samples