Seeding cells into AIM chips is easy and
straightforward. The following tips and tricks will help you master this
important step.
1. Ports have to be filled with medium before seeding
cells into the channels. Filled ports allow the cell suspension to flow into
the media channels.
2. Inject the cell suspension by positioning the pipette
tip near the inlets. Do not insert the tip completely into the inlets to avoid
introducing cells into the media channels at a high flow rate. High flows will not
allow cells to settle along the channel, resulting in uneven distribution.
3. Inject the cell suspension twice into the same media
channel, one for each of the connected inlets to ensure even distribution of
cells in the channel.
4. Set up differential volumes of medium in the media
channels if cells need to be seeded on the gel interface. The interstitial flow
generated by the differential volumes will drive cells to attach on the gel
interface in the channel with more medium.
5. Always lay chips on a flat surface while seeding cells
into AIM chips unless the cells need to be seeded on a particular surface
primarily. For instance, you may incline the chips 90 ° on the short side to
allow gravity-driven flow to carry the cells to the gel interface, without
having to set up differential volumes of medium between the two media channels.
This method requires tight control on the inclining angle and settling time.
Do you have your own tips and tricks for seeding cells
in media channel? Share them with the user community!
-Sei Hien-
Applications Development Scientist