Microfluidic chemostat

• US 8,017,353 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Balagadde, Frederick, Kartalov, Emil, Quake, Stephen R., Hansen, Carl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weber; Jon P
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, KAILASH C
• Application Number:
  US12/182,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 435/41, 435/286.1, 435/286.5, 435/286.7, 435/287.2, 435/287.3, 435/288.5, 435/288.6, 435/288.7, 435/289.1, 435/292.1, 435/293.1, 435/294.1, 435/297.1, 435/304.2, 435/304.6, 435/306.1
• US Class Current: 435/41
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/10 Means to control humidity and/or other gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/163 Biocompatibility
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/16 Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/34 Internal compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 39/00 Means for cleaning the apparatus or avoiding unwanted deposits of microorganisms apparatus for cleaning laboratory receptacles or instruments B01L13/02; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 1/00 Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups C12P3/00 - C12P39/00, by using microorganisms or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/04 Polysaccharides, i.e. compounds containing more than five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic bonds

Abstract

A chemostat is described that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.

Claims

1. A method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat, wherein said growth chamber comprises a first compartment adapted to hold one or more cells and a second compartment fluidly isolated from the first compartment and adapted to receive a lysis agent, the method comprising:

a step for adding a lysis agent to the fluidly isolated second compartment of the growth chamber;

a step for reuniting the second compartment with the first compartment of the growth chamber; and

a step for removing the lysis agent through an output port that removes fluids from said growth chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step for fluidly isolating said second compartment of the growth chamber from said first compartment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein lysed cells are removed from said second compartment of said growth chamber through an output port.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising adding growth medium to said second compartment of the growth chamber.