Cell Cycle Synchronization Using a Microfluidic Synchronizer for Fission Yeast Cells.
To produce synchronized cell colonies, many cell cycle synchronization technologies have been developed, among which the baby machine may be considered the most artifact-free. Baby machines incubate "mother cells" under normal conditions and collects their "babies," producing cell cultures that are similar not only in cell cycle phase but also in age. Several macroscale and microfluidic baby machines have been applied to synchronized cell research. However, for rod-shaped cells like fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), it is still a challenge to immobilize only the mother cells in a microfluidic device. Here, we present a new baby machine suitable for fission yeast. The device fixes one end of the cell and releases the free-end daughter cell every time the cell finishes cytokinesis. A variety of structures for cell immobilization were attempted to find the optimal design. For the convenience of collection and to enable further assays, we integrated a cell screener into the baby machine, which exploits the deformation of polymer material to switch between open and closed states. The device, producing synchronous populations of fission yeast cells, provides a new on-chip tool for cell biology studies.
Wang S, Luo C