Yo Tanaka

Cellular functions are frequently exploited as processing components for integrated chemical systems such as biochemical reactors and bioassay systems. Here, we have created a new cell-based microsystem exploiting the intrinsic pulsatile mechanical functions of cardiomyocytes to build a cellular micropump on-chip using cardiomyocyte sheets as prototype bio-microactuators. We first demonstrate cell-based control of fluid motion in a model microchannel without check valves and evaluate the potenti

Miniaturization of chemical or biochemical systems creates extremely efficient devices exploiting the advantages of microspaces. Although they are often targeted for implanted tissue engineered organs or drug-delivery devices because of their highly integrated systems, microfluidic devices are usually powered by external energy sources and therefore difficult to be used in vivo. A microfluidic device powered without the need for external energy sources or stimuli is needed. Previously, we demons

Natural cellular functions are increasingly exploited for integrated chemical systems such as biochemical reactors and biosensors. We propose to utilize the intrinsic mechanical function of cardiomyocytes, converting chemical energy into mechanical energy. In this report, we demonstrate the working principle of our proposed poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) based cardiomyocyte bio-microactuator using fabricated PDMS micropillars driven to repetitive motion by attached pulsating cardiomyocytes. Sheet

Microfluidics has become recognized as a powerful platform technology with a wide range of applications in various fields, such as biology, biomedicine, chemistry and environment. To achieve higher performance, microfluidic devices are required to have superior optical transparency; mechanical, chemical and thermal stability; as well as easy design and fabrication. All of these requirements make glass as an attractive and ideal material for the fabrication of microfluidic devices due to its exce

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTNanofluidic Devices and Applications for Biological AnalysesKoki YamamotoKoki YamamotoLaboratory for Integrated Biodevice, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanMore by Koki YamamotoView Biographyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-4545-4239, Nobutoshi OtaNobutoshi OtaLaboratory for Integrated Biodevice, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanMore

This study investigated and established a method, using femtosecond laser processing, to fabricate a 100%-glass-based 12 μm ultra-thin and flexible micro-fluidic chip. First we investigated the suitable pulse energy of the laser to fabricate ultra-thin glass sheets and then we fabricated a prototype glass micro-fluidic chip. Two 1 mm-in-diameter orifices for facilitating alignment in the bonding step and one channel with a width of 20 μm and a length of 25 mm were fabricated in a 4 μm thickness

Compared with polymer microfluidic devices, glass microfluidic devices have advantages for diverse lab-on-a-chip applications due to their rigidity, optical transparency, thermal stability, and chemical/biological inertness. However, the bonding process to construct glass microfluidic devices usually involves treatment(s) like high temperature over 400 °C, oxygen plasma or piranha solution. Such processes require special skill, apparatus or harsh chemicals, and destroy molecules or cells in micr

A simple method for micro-casting with agarose gel was developed. Vacuum pressure in a degassed PDMS elastomer acted as a driving force for introducing agarose solution into micro-channels. The repellency of agarose well-guided cell adhesion area.

In this study, we developed a method for fabricating a microfluidic device with integrated large-scale all-glass valves and constructed an actuator system to control each of the valves on the device. Such a microfluidic device has advantages that allow its use in various fields, including physical, chemical, and biochemical analyses and syntheses. However, it is inefficient and difficult to integrate the large-scale all-glass valves in a microfluidic device using conventional glass fabrication m

Lab-on-a-chip technology is promising for the miniaturization of chemistry, biochemistry, and/or biology researchers looking to exploit the advantages of a microspace. To manipulate fluid on a microchip, on-chip pumps are indispensable. To date, there have been several types of on-chip pumps including pneumatic, electroactive, and magnetically driven. However these pumps introduce polymers, metals, and/or silicon to the microchip, and these materials have several disadvantages, including chemica

In the field of “lab-on-a-chip”, sophisticated valves are extremely important to manipulate small-volume samples in a microchip. Currently, the most commonly used valves utilize polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), exploiting its elastomeric property. Although polymer-based valves are very sophisticated and convenient, they also have several disadvantages such as chemical and physical instability and an inherent optical detection limit. With respect to these issues, glass is the most common material uti