Probing the physiology of ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans using electric current stimulation.

Electrical stimulation has been widely used to modulate and study the in vitro and in vivo functionality of the nervous system. Here, we characterized the effect of electrical stimulation on ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans and employed it to probe the neuron's age dependent properties. We utilized an automated microfluidic-based platform and characterized the ASH neuronal activity in response to an electric current applied to the worm's body.

An automated microfluidic platform for calcium imaging of chemosensory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Functional fluorescence imaging methods are widely used to study cellular physiology. When applied to small organisms, these methods suffer from low-throughput due to the laborious immobilization/stimulus delivery procedure that is typically involved during imaging. Here, we describe the development of an automated microfluidic-based platform for performing automated neuronal functional (calcium) imaging in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.

A high numerical aperture, polymer-based, planar microlens array.

We present a novel microfabrication approach for obtaining arrays of planar, polymer-based microlenses of high numerical aperture. The proposed microlenses arrays consist of deformable, elastomeric membranes that are supported by polymer-filled microchambers. Each membrane/microchamber assembly is converted into a solid microlens when the supporting UV-curable polymer is pressurized and cured.

CO2 and compressive immobilization of C. elegans on-chip.

We present two microfluidic approaches for immobilizing the roundworm C. elegans on-chip. The first approach creates a CO(2) micro-environment while the second one utilizes a deformable PDMS membrane to mechanically restrict the worm's movement.

Femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy lab-on-a-chip for in vivo nerve regeneration studies.

A thorough understanding of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans requires performing femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy while minimally affecting the worm. We present a microfluidic device that fulfills such criteria and can easily be automated to enable high-throughput genetic and pharmacological screenings. Using the 'nanoaxotomy' chip, we discovered that axonal regeneration occurs much faster than previously described, and notably, the distal fragment of the severed axon regrows in the absence of anesthetics.