Localized Expression of Heat Shock Protein in Cell Population by Micro Heater Device

Cell-cell interactions are considered as key factors in tissue and organ formation in vivo. Recently, some researchers locally stimulated cells using microfluidic devices and studied cell-cell interactions [1]. One of the most significant challenges in generating local stimulation is the precise confinement of the stimulants in microfluidic channels due to diffusion and flows. Our group has shown thermal stimulation on single cell level using micro heaters and observed heat shock responses (HSRs) [2]. Here, we present a micro heater device integrated with a microfluidic channel to control a temperature distribution locally on the cell culture medium. Well-controlled temperature distribution was achieved in a micro channel regulating the volume of culture medium and reducing natural convective heat transfer effects.