Team:ETH Zurich/expresults/diffusion

From 2014.igem.org

Diffusion On Chip

Our project aims for the biological implementation of cellular automata with XOR logic gates. In order to achieve this, we found a way to create a regular grid of cells with a defined, optimal neighborhood. This means channel length, well size, and medium were optimized and the properties were modelled with Matlab and Comsol whenever feasible. With these in silico results in mind we used CAD software to design our custom made molds, which where then 3D-printed and used for the production of PDMS chips. The cells containing one of our genetic circuits were encapsulated in alginate beads and loaded on the millifluidic chip. This approach allowed us to establish a method for measuring diffusion and cell-to-cell communication. In particular, a step towards the emergence of complex patters by cell-to-cell communication was made. Also the Comsol model regarding pattern formation was confirmed experimentally with this rapid-prototyping approach. The final time-lapse video of the pattern-formation experiment is shown below in video 1.