Using microfluidics to investigate hematopoietic stem cell and microniche interactions at the single cell level

Abstract

In recent years, microfluidic devices have become widely used in biology, and with the advantage of requiring low sample volumes, enables previously technologically infeasible experiments in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) research. Here, we introduce a microfluidic device to investigate dynamic interactions between HSC and model niches in vitro. The device comprises a pneumatic valve which enables the culturing of different types of niche cells in different parts of the same device. Single HSCs can then be injected into the microfluidic device, manipulated, and placed onto different niches within the same device as controlled by the user. Here, we describe the device fabrication method, the HSC collection methodology, and the operational procedure for the device. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.