“Dynamic Observation of Retinal Response to Pressure Elevation in a Microfluidic Chamber” published in Analytical Chemistry, selected as a VINSE spotlight publication
About the author: Alberto Esteban Linares is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering advised by Dr. Deyu Li. Alberto’s research focuses on developing novel microfluidic platforms with probing and sensing capabilities to study the behavior of certain neurons in ex vivo retinal tissue. Alberto’s recent publication presents a microfluidic platform capable of generating and maintaining a wide range of chamber pressures (30-200 mmHg) by using flow through porous media (agarose) with minimal shear stress. Whole mouse retina was used to study the dynamic intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence activity of retinal ganglion cells in direct response to elevated pressure. Results showed a 119% increase in RGC intracellular Ca2+ levels upon a ~80 mmHg increase in pressure. This novel device could enable new research of mechanosensitive tissues and their responses to pressure.