20210622 microfluidics bubble genocide

Jan, Anniken, Vilde

Bubbles have been taking our jobs for centuries. It is time to take revenge.

Proposition 1: Use the MUX when filling the ufluidic device so that there is a barrier through which air shall not pass when we change fluids.

Proposition 2: Not use MUX ;) cells can't enter the machine. Fill a falcon tube with fluid (cells) and insert it into the inlet (make sure it is filled with the fluid - no air!). Using a syringe connecte to the outlet, we want to create a backflow, sucking the fluid into the chip.

Never use too high pressure or flow - can create leaks and we also suspect that this is one of the causes for our bubble-problems.

Today

Microfluidics: Not one bubble got inside the chip. We are very happy :D. Used proposition 1 - filled a tube with PBS and used MUX to stop the flow when we saw the fluid coming out. Then inserted the tube in the chip and started the flow. Did this again with methyl blue, it worked but didn't see any color. Couldn't try proposition 2 because the outlet didn't allow fluid into the tube (it went directly out of the chip). Can do this next time!

Cell adhesion test on glass (microscope slide): Placed a droplet of cells in CO2 independent media inside a 'square sticker' (normally used for bacterial experiments) on a microscope slide. The goal was to see if they attached to the surface. Sadly the timelaps showed that it did not work. Going to do a new test, but with collagen - see notes for 24/06.