Programmable, Pneumatically Actuated Microfluidic Device with an Integrated Nanochannel Array To Track Development of Individual Bacteria.

We describe a microfluidic device with an integrated nanochannel array to trap individual bacteria and monitor growth and reproduction of lineages over multiple generations. Our poly(dimethylsiloxane) device comprises a pneumatically actuated nanochannel array that includes 1280 channels with widths from 600 to 1000 nm to actively trap diverse bacteria. Integrated pumps and valves perform on-chip fluid and cell manipulations that provide dynamic control of cell loading and nutrient flow, permitting chemostatic growth for extended periods of time (typically 12 to 20 h).