Portable in situ fluorescence cytometry of microscale cell-based assays

A portable fluorescence cytometric system has been developed for characterizing chemical concentration and cellular status in microscale cell culture analog (microCCA) devices. Based on discrete optical components, the system provides a modular platform for real-time image measurements applicable to a variety of cell-based microassays. As a feasibility study, we investigated the real-time dynamics of daunorubicin uptake with cultured mouse L-cells in a microCCA compartment. Time course results measured by the portable fluorescence cytometric system confirmed that in the microCCA devices daunorubicin accumulation is proportional to the liquid turnover rate.