Microfluidic device for differentiation induction of iPS cells derived embryoid bodies with local chemical stimulation

This paper reports a microfluidic device that allows us to measure the effect of local differentiation stimulation on embryoid bodies for the purpose of elucidating the role of the cell-cell interaction of iPS cells in differentiation induction. We developed the local stimulation device having two chambers separated by thin polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) membrane with through-holes of the diameter smaller than single cell. Embryoid bodies of iPS cells are formed on the membrane and seal the holes, separating the aqueous environments of two chambers without leakage. This configuration brings localized exposure to chemicals for differentiation induction at the area defined by the holes. In this paper, we demonstrated the function of local stimulation using fluorescent solution.