High-throughput optofluidic system for the laser microsurgery of oocytes

J Biomed Opt. 2012 Jan;17(1):015001. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.17.1.015001.

Abstract

This study combines microfluidics with optical microablation in a microscopy system that allows for high-throughput manipulation of oocytes, automated media exchange, and long-term oocyte observation. The microfluidic component of the system transports oocytes from an inlet port into multiple flow channels. Within each channel, oocytes are confined against a microfluidic barrier using a steady fluid flow provided by an external computer-controlled syringe pump. This allows for easy media replacement without disturbing the oocyte location. The microfluidic and optical-laser microbeam ablation capabilities of the system were validated using surf clam (Spisula solidissima) oocytes that were immobilized in order to permit ablation of the 5 μm diameter nucleolinus within the oocyte nucleolus. Oocytes were the followed and assayed for polar body ejection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus
  • Equipment Design
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / instrumentation
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
  • Laser Therapy
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Microsurgery / instrumentation*
  • Microsurgery / methods*
  • Oocytes / cytology*
  • Optics and Photonics / instrumentation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Spisula / cytology