Micromachines (Feb 2016)

Microfluidic-Based Droplet and Cell Manipulations Using Artificial Bacterial Flagella

  • Yun Ding,
  • Famin Qiu,
  • Xavier Casadevall i Solvas,
  • Flora Wing Yin Chiu,
  • Bradley J. Nelson,
  • Andrew deMello

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/mi7020025
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 2
p. 25

Abstract

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Herein, we assess the functionality of magnetic helical microswimmers as basic tools for the manipulation of soft materials, including microdroplets and single cells. Their ability to perform a range of unit operations is evaluated and the operational challenges associated with their use are established. In addition, we also report on interactions observed between the head of such helical swimmers and the boundaries of droplets and cells and discuss the possibilities of assembling an artificial swimming microorganism or a motorized cell.

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