Abstract
In this work we present a high resolution oxygen imaging approach, which can be used to study 2D oxygen distribution inside microfluidic environments. The presented setup comprises a fabrication process of microfluidic chips with integrated luminescent sensing films combined with referenced oxygen imaging applying a color CCD-camera. Enhancement of the sensor performance was achieved by applying the principle of light harvesting. This principle enabled ratiometric imaging employing the red and the green channel of a color CCD-camera. The oxygen sensitive emission of platinum(ii)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorphenyl)-porphyrin (PtTFPP) was detected by the red channel, while the emission of a reference dye was detected by the green channel. This measurement setup allowed for accurate real-time 2D oxygen imaging with superior quality compared to intensity imaging. The sensor films were subsequently used to measure the respiratory activity of human cell cultures (HeLa carcinoma cells and normal human dermal fibroblasts) in a microfluidic system. The sensor setup is well suited for different applications from spatially and temporally resolving oxygen concentration inside microfluidic channels to parallelization of oxygen measurements and paves the way to novel cell based assays, e.g. in tissue engineering, tumor biology and hypoxia reperfusion phenomena.
Highlights
Oxygen concentration is an immensely important factor in cellular studies.[1]
In this work we present a high resolution oxygen imaging approach, which can be used to study 2D oxygen distribution inside microfluidic environments
The sensor setup is well suited for different applications from spatially and temporally resolving oxygen concentration inside microfluidic channels to parallelization of oxygen measurements and paves the way to novel cell based assays, e.g. in tissue engineering, tumor biology and hypoxia reperfusion phenomena
Summary
Oxygen concentration is an immensely important factor in cellular studies.[1] Important physiological processes and cell culture applications where the O2 supply plays a prime role include tumor biology and vascularization, hypoxia-reperfusion phenomena, tissue engineering and stem cell differentiation.[2,3] Oxygen is fundamental in cellular activities, because it is required for aerobic metabolism of carbon compounds, a very basic cellular function. For example co-culture models, 3D tissue analogues or micropatterned and microfluidic devices have been established to provide physiologically relevant environments. In these assay formats culture conditions are varying over the entire area or volume. Literature examples of suitable devices to study oxygen gradients include oxygen sensitive scaffolds,[12] microparticles[13] or sensor foils[14] for tissue cross sections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
