A microarray platform for high-throughput single- cell capture and culture

This paper presents a microarray platform that allows high-throughput single cell capture in large microwells to support single-cell culture. This work will facilitate the study of cell heterogeneity as well as high efficient stimulation parameters (chemical and physical) screening. An U-shaped single-cell trap, in combination of two streamline focusing arms, is placed at the bottom of each microwell as a single-cell capture unit. The platform has 512 capture units. The whole device is fabricated by standard soft-lithography technology. The ability of this structure for high-efficient single-cell capture has been demonstrated through manipulating polystyrene (PS) microbeads and MC 3T3 cells. Cell colonies are formed after culture of these captured single MC 3T3 cells for six days, indicating that the proposed microarray chip can also be used as a convenient platform for single-cell culture.