Team:ETH Zurich/lab/bead
From 2014.igem.org
Beads
Overview
Alginate beads are commonly used for immobilization of macromolecules and cells, however, they are also applied for pharmaceutical purposes such as drug delivery. The polymer
Production
Bacteria are resuspended and diluted in NaCl-solution (0.9 % in H2O) so as to achieve the desired cell density. Here, we aimed at a comparably high concentration of 107 bacteria per bead. The resuspension was added to alginate (2.5%) to reach a alginate concentration of 2%. The viscous solution is filled into a syringe containing an appropriate needle device and extruded at a constant, slow velocity. Ideally, the droplets should fall form a height of approximately 30 cm into a 100 mM CaCl2 solution. In the CaCl2 solution gelling of the alginate droplets will occur instantaneously. To avoid excessive salt stress for the bacteria the beads should be transferred to a 10 mM CaCl2 solution.
A more detailed protocol can be found here. |}
Loading the Chip
The beads are better visible in liquid when light shines from the side. So it's easier to load the the chip with help of a cell phone light. |
Features