Directional-to-random transition of cell cluster migration

Efficient cell migration is crucial for the functioning of biological processes, e.g., morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. In this study, we monitor the migratory behavior of the 3D fibroblast clusters using live cell microscopy,and find that crowded environment affects cell migration, i.e., crowding leads to directional migration at the cluster’s periphery. The number of cell layers being stacked during seeding determines the directional-to-random transition. Intriguingly,the m...     

Reversal current observed in micro-and submicro-channel flow under non-continuous DC electric field

In practical applications of biochips and bio-sensors, electrokinetic mechanisms are commonly employed to manipulate and analyze the characteristics of single bio-molecules. To accurately and flexibly control the movement of single molecule within micro-/submicro-fluidic channels, the characteristics of current signals at the initial stage of the flow are systematically studied based on a three-electrode system. The current response of micro-/submicro-fluidic channels filled with different electrolyte solutions in non-continuous external electric field are investigated. It is found, there always exists a current reversal phenomenon, which is an inherent property of the current signals in micro/submicro-fluidics Each solution has an individual critical voltage under which the steady current value is equal to zero The interaction between the steady current and external applied voltage follows an exponential function. All these results can be attributed to the overpotentials of the electric double layer on the electrodes. These results are helpful for the design and fabrication of functional micro/nano-scale fluidic sensors and biochips.     

Direct observation of λ-DNA molecule reversal movement within microfluidic channels under electric field with single molecule imaging technique

The electrodynamic characteristics of single DNA molecules moving within micro-/nano-fluidic channels are important in the design of biomedical chips and bimolecular sensors. In this study, the dynamic properties of λ-DNA molecules transferring along the microchannels driven by the external electrickinetic force were systemically investigated with the single molecule fluorescence imaging technique. The experimental results indicated that the velocity of DNA molecules was strictly dependent on the value of the applied electric field and the diameter of the channel. The larger the external electric field, the larger the velocity, and the more significant deformation of DNA molecules. More meaningfully, it was found that the moving directions of DNA molecules had two completely different directions:(i) along the direction of the external electric field, when the electric field intensity was smaller than a certain threshold value;(ii) opposite to the direction of the external electric field, when the electric field intensity was greater than the threshold electric field intensity.The reversal movement of DNA molecules was mainly determined by the competition between the electrophoresis force and the influence of electro-osmosis flow. These new findings will theoretically guide the practical application of fluidic channel sensors and lab-on-chips for precisely manipulating single DNA molecules.     

基于单分子成像技术研究λ-DNA分子穿越微米通道端口的电动力学特性

操控单个DNA分子,将其有效引入、导出微纳通道是实现DNA生物芯片功能的前提条件.本文利用单分子荧光显微成像技术系统地实时观察分析λ-DNA单分子在电场力驱动下进入/穿出50μm通道端口处的电动力学特性及规律.研究发现:λ-DNA分子能够顺利进入trans端口并穿出cis端口,外加电场强度存在最大(E_max)和最小(E_min)阈值,只有场强E满足:E_min≤E≤E_max时, λ-DNA分子才能进入trans端口并顺利穿出cis端口;当电场强度小于最小阈值场强时, DNA分子不能进入trans端口;当电场强度大于最大阈值场强时, λ-DNA分子虽可能从trans端口进入通道内部,但不容易从cis端口穿出,而是在迁移至通道内cis端口附近时,运动方向反转、往复、甚至旋转等新现象,并且易于粘附到管壁上;随着场强增大,反转位置距cis端口越大.基于微流体电动力学理论,对λ-DNA分子在微通道端口的不同运动状态的物理机制进行了初步分析.本研究结果对研制基于微纳通道系统的基因芯片实验室及DNA分子传感器具有一定...     

基于连续激光的纳米结构研制

基于激光受激辐射损耗原理的远场光学超分辨成像技术,当圆形入射高斯激光经过涡旋相位板调制后,将转变为中心光强为零的圆环形光束,该形状的激光束与光敏聚合物作用,能够制备出具有一定功能的纳米结构。介绍了自主搭建的基于圆环连续激光光源的激光直写系统,以及利用该系统研制的复合纳米结构。当光源为532 nm连续激光输出时,与正性光刻胶作用,得到直径 < 50 nm的纳米柱复合结构,以及整齐均匀的纳米柱阵列结构;与负性光刻胶作用,得到直径 < 100 nm的纳米通道,以及整齐均匀的中央有纳米通道的微米柱复合结构阵列。当光源为405 nm连续光纤激光时,与正性光刻胶作用,也得到了直径小至153 nm的纳米柱复合结构及其阵列。这些纳米结构的基本单元尺寸都突破了光学“阿贝衍射极限”的限制,具有实用潜力。