Development of a Microfluidic Chip Powered by EWOD for In Vitro Manipulation of Bovine Embryos
Adriana Karcz,
Ann Van Soom,
Katrien Smits,
Sandra Van Vlierberghe,
Rik Verplancke,
Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini,
Etienne Van den Abbeel,
Jan Vanfleteren
Affiliations
Adriana Karcz
Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST), Imec and Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Ann Van Soom
Reproductive Biology Unit (RBU), Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 D4, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
Katrien Smits
Reproductive Biology Unit (RBU), Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 D4, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
Sandra Van Vlierberghe
Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Building S4, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Rik Verplancke
Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST), Imec and Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
Reproductive Biology Unit (RBU), Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 D4, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
Etienne Van den Abbeel
Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Jan Vanfleteren
Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST), Imec and Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Digital microfluidics (DMF) holds great potential for the alleviation of laboratory procedures in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). The electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) technology provides dynamic culture conditions in vitro that may better mimic the natural embryo microenvironment. Thus far, EWOD microdevices have been proposed for in vitro gamete and embryo handling in mice and for analyzing the human embryo secretome. This article presents the development of the first microfluidic chip utilizing EWOD technology designed for the manipulation of bovine embryos in vitro. The prototype sustains the cell cycles of embryos manipulated individually on the chips during in vitro culture (IVC). Challenges related to the chip fabrication as well as to its application during bovine embryo IVC in accordance with the adapted on-chip protocol are thoroughly discussed, and future directions for DMF in ARTs are indicated.
