An integrated microfluidics platform with high-throughput single-cell cloning array and concentration gradient generator for efficient cancer drug effect screening

Background:Tumor cell heterogeneity mediated drug resistance has been recognized as the stumbling block of cancer treatment.Elucidating the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs at single-cell level in a high-throughput way is thus of great value for developing precision therapy.However,current techniques suffer from limitations in dynamically characterizing the responses of thousands of single cells or cell clones presented to multiple drug conditions.Methods:We developed a new microfluidics-based“SMART”platform that is Simple to operate,able to generate a Massive single-cell array and Multiplex drug concentrations,capable of keeping cells Alive,Retainable and Trackable in the microchambers.These features are achieved by integrating a Microfluidic chamber Array(4320 units)and a sixConcentration gradient generator(MAC),which enables highly efficient analysis of leukemia drug effects on single cells and cell clones in a high-throughput way.Results:A simple procedure produces 6 on-chip drug gradients to treat more than 3000 single cells or single-cell derived clones and thus allows an efficient and precise analysis of cell heterogeneity.The statistic results reveal that Imatinib(Ima)and Resveratrol(Res)combination treatment on single cells or clones is much more efficient than Ima or Res single drug treatment,indicated by the markedly reduced half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50).Additionally,single-cell derived clones demonstrate a higher IC_(50) in each drug treatment compared to single cells.Moreover,primary cells isolated from two leukemia patients are also found with apparent heterogeneity upon drug treatment on MAC.Conclusions:This microfluidics-based“SMART”platform allows high-throughput single-cell capture and culture,dynamic drug-gradient treatment and cell response monitoring,which represents a new approach to efficiently investigate anticancer drug effects and should benefit drug discovery for leukemia and other cancers.

The overview of the language acquisition for Chinese city children aged 0-3 years

This paper examines the language development of Chinese children aged 0-3years in city family. About baby＇s language development by the time stages accordingly. Paying special attention to the efforts for the parents or caregivers. Infants receive more talking education and speak earlier. Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say its first word and communicate with their baby. From about 2 years old, the child should be able to use simple phrases, retell simple story and even to sing song. Parents play an important role in this stage. By the 3 years children begin to use most of function words rather than omit them. And acquisition for the second language will help children＇s language development. The children have a gift for learning language.