I have tried to attach cells to the PDMS wall of a microfluidic device but my cells are loosely attached and wash away after exposing them to flow (low flow rates, about 0.0004mL/hour). by incubating with 0.2% gelatin for two hours and then subsequently washing with PDMS +/+ and then adding the cells. I can see that the seeding ratio is good, and then I will incubate for about 45 minutes before adding media. Is there a way to more firmly adhere the cells?
There are plenty of procoles to grow ECs on PDMS. you can second check the first steps of https://www.nature.com/articles/nprot.2013.137
I see in your case several options:
- PDMS surface treatment: maybe making it more hydrophilic (with plasma or UVO) might help
- increase the gelatin density
- do you check if your cells are alive before injecting? and which media are you using?
Also PDMS has a tendency to regenerate its surface (I recommend a quick look at the excellent review to better understand the issue http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/lc/c2lc20982a), the gelatin might delaminate easily, i.e. the cells.
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