1) Microfluidic technology can be used to automate and improve the efficiency of procedures in assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). 2) Microfluidic devices allow for environmental control, application of stimuli in a gradual and gentle manner, and manipulation of embryos at a small scale similar to in vivo conditions. 3) Studies in mice, pigs, and cows have demonstrated improved development of embryos using microfluidic culture compared to traditional static culture methods.

1. Microfluidic Technology for Assisted Reproduction Matthew B. Wheeler 1 and David J. Beebe 2 1 Department of Animal Sciences and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Wisconsin-Madison Acknowledgements Eric Walters and Sherrie Clark @ UIUC Henry “Gripp” Zeringue @ UW Lorraine Leibfried-Rutledge @ Bomed Kathy Haubert @ Vitae LLC Funding Sources: CFAR, NIH, UIUC, USDA, UW

2. Why micro?

4. Low Reynolds Number Flow inertial viscous Laminar Brownian Motion Fluid Plugs Turbulence Improved manipulation? More in vivo -like?

6. Microfluidic Large-Scale Integration Thorsen et al. Science 298: 580-584. A microfluidic chip, fabricated from silicone elastomer, that contains 2056 integrated microvalves in an area of one square inch. The chip is analogous to an electronic comparator and is an example of microfluidic large-scale integration. The complex plumbing in the chip allows 512 chambers to be mixed pairwise, with individual addressing and recovery of the results. [Photo: S. Maerkl]

7. Rationale Handling Steps in Conventional IVF Handling Steps in µchannel IVF Load oocyte/embryo Remove embryo Change medium and/or add Sperm, etc.

8. Hardware Traditional Inefficient & labor intensive µFluidic Automate procedures and improve efficiencies

14. Mouse Culture (Development) Microchannel Control Improved efficiencies % Blastocyst B6SJL/F1 x ICR - less vigorous

15. Mice, Pigs and Cows

16. What’s really going on? Micro fluidics Reduced “effective” volume Environmental control Micro environment

19. 1). Develop agriculture and food systems related microfluidic devices that feature integrated operations, simple reliable components and low costs. 2). Integrate microfluidic devices flawlessly into a wireless-ID network. 3). Others ? ? ? ? Objectives of a National Research Program

20. 1). The users are producers, processors and consumers. -applications must be simple, reliable and highly accurate 2). The “environment” is dirty. -samples need some processing (filtration, purification, etc.) 3). Agriculture and Food Systems are highly integrated. -applications need to be networked and results integrated 4). Single sensor applications are likely not inadequate. -fields, herds, flocks, elevators, trains, trucks, processors, manufacturers etc. are widespread How is Agriculture Different? (or how will USDA’s focus differ from DOD, NSF, NIH or NASA) Outcomes and impacts should address these issues!