Insect cell culture in microfluidic channels

Microfluidic channels were constructed out of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and used as culture vessels for ovary cells from the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, (Sf9). PDMS allows cells to be visually inspected and provides excellent permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Cells were grown in static culture conditions and observed every 24 hours for seven days. The growth rate in microchannels of varying volume (2.8 mul to 0.6 mul) was significantly slower in two sets of experiments (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) than in a 25 ml tissue culture flask.