Fabrication of In-Channel High-Aspect Ratio Sensing Pillars for Protrusive Force Measurements on Fungi and Oomycetes

Type of content
Journal Article
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Degree name
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Journal Title
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Date
2018
Authors
Sun Y
Tayagui A
Garrill A
Nock V
Abstract

© 1992-2012 IEEE. This paper reports the fabrication and application of a Lab-on-a-Chip platform containing single-elastomeric micropillars in channel constrictions, which enable the measurement of protrusive forces exerted by individual fungal hyphae. We show the device design, the fabrication process, and photoresist optimization required to adapt the microfluidic platform to relatively thin hyphae. To demonstrate the applicability of the devices, the oomycete Achlya bisexualis and the fungus Neurospora crassa were cultured on PDMS chips. Devices were combined with confocal imaging to study the interaction of A. bisexualis hyphae with the measurement pillars. The force exerted by individual hyphae of N. crassa was measured and compared with a hyphal growth rate and diameter. The platform provides a new tool to help understand the molecular processes that underlie protrusive growth and this may present new ways to tackle the pathogenic growth of these organisms and thus combat the loss of diversity that they cause. This paper is based on the conference proceedings presented at the 31st IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS 2018), Belfast. [2018-0090]

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Citation
Sun Y, Tayagui A, Garrill A, Nock V (2018). Fabrication of In-Channel High-Aspect Ratio Sensing Pillars for Protrusive Force Measurements on Fungi and Oomycetes. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems. 27(5). 827-835.
Keywords
Lab-on-a-chip, force sensor, PDMS micropillars, fungi and oomycetes, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::31 - Biological sciences::3107 - Microbiology::310705 - Mycology
Field of Research::06 - Biological Sciences::0607 - Plant Biology::060702 - Plant Cell and Molecular Biology
Fields of Research::40 - Engineering::4017 - Mechanical engineering::401705 - Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. For more information, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/