Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST), Imec and Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
Reproductive Biology Unit (RBU), Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 D4, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Biosensors (Basel). 2023 Mar 25;13(4):419. doi: 10.3390/bios13040419.
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.
数字微流控（DMF）在辅助生殖技术（ART）中减轻实验室操作方面具有巨大潜力。介电电泳（EWOD）技术提供了体外动态培养条件，可能更好地模拟自然胚胎微环境。到目前为止，EWOD 微器件已被提议用于体外配子和胚胎处理，以及分析人类胚胎分泌组。本文介绍了第一个利用 EWOD 技术设计的微流控芯片的开发，该芯片用于体外操作牛胚胎。该原型维持了在体外培养过程中在芯片上单独操作的胚胎的细胞周期（IVC）。彻底讨论了与芯片制造以及根据适应的芯片上协议在牛胚胎 IVC 期间应用相关的挑战，并指出了 DMF 在 ARTs 中的未来方向。
