JOURNAL ARTICLE

A microfluidic sucrose gap device for electrical measurement of gap junction connectivity.

  • Published In: Review of Scientific Instruments, 2025, v. 96, n. 2. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Dungan, J.; Mathews, J.; Levin, M.; Koomson, V. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the design, fabrication, and validation of a microfluidic device that electrically measures average intercellular connectivity in a cell monolayer via gap junctions. The device employs elastomeric microvalves to isolate cells across three microfluidic chambers, creating a microscale analog of the benchtop sucrose gap technique, which forces electrical current through gap junctions by isolating extracellular conduction paths. Using normal rat kidney (NRK-49F) cells and the chemical gap junction blocker 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), the system detected a significant increase in network impedance, demonstrating sensitivity to changes in gap junction connectivity. This platform offers a novel approach for real-time, non-invasive electrical measurement of gap junction networks, with potential applications in developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and cancer research.

Additional Information

  • Source:Review of Scientific Instruments. 2025/02, Vol. 96, Issue 2, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0034-6748
  • DOI:10.1063/5.0224298
  • Accession Number:183388946
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