Preparation and Characterization of Single-cell Microcapsules

A series of experiments to prepare single-cell micro-capsules were implemented based on digital micro-injection of micro-fluidics, and also their preparation condition and size variation were explored. The results showed that when the inner diameter of micro-nozzles and the pulse step of jetted liquid is less than 2 times minimum size of cells, the preparation of single-cell micro-capsules can be accomplished. The resultant micro-capsules average size increases linearly with the inner diameter of micro-nozzles so can be controlled by changing the inner diameter of the nozzles. The single-cell microcapsules of porcine oocytes prepared by 200 pm micro nozzle. are uniform in size, whose average size is 203. 5 mu m with standard deviation of 5. 86 mu m. The digital micro-injection of micro-fluidics can be applied to preparing single-cell micro-capsules in the field of biochemical analysis and biological engineering.