MEMS-based biological platform for dynamic cell-to-cell interaction characterization

MEMS-based biological platforms with the capability of spatiotemporal control of living cells have been demonstrated. The space control is accomplished by microfabrication to have targeted gaps between two adjacent culture areas. The time control is achieved by the electrical activation of corresponding electrode to independently activate the culture area of interest to allow movement/attachment of living cells. Prototype device with co-culture area of 50 × 50 ¿m² and separation gaps of 0.5~2.5 ¿m have been successfully fabricated and tested using living cells with -1.5 V of electrical activation voltage. Preliminary cell co-culture tests with structure of 1 × 3 array using 3T3 fibroblast cells have been successfully demonstrated through serial surface activations. As such, this MEMS platform could be a basic yet versatile cellular biology tool to characterize transient cell-to-cell interactions.