Chip captures individual cells in minuscule gels
Many scientists need strategies to study individual cells (e.g. stem cells) for a period of multiple weeks. This is of great importance in areas that focus on drug testing, fundamental disease studies, and cell therapy development. The conventional method to study individual cells outside the body involves 'capturing' and cultivating them in tiny droplets of hydrogel , known as microgels. Until recently, however, all attempts to culture individual cells under such controlled conditions for extended periods of time failed, as the cells escaped from the microgels within a few days. Until now, this problem has greatly restricted the range of potential applications of this promising technology. Researchers at the University of Twente's MIRA research institute identified that the escaping cells were almost always located at the edge of the microgels. Using high-speed cameras, they discovered that this was due to the current production method. They solved this problem by de...