Study of ATP-release from acoustically levitated eryhrocytes

In English Erythrocytes (red blood cells) are known to produce large amounts of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). It has recently become clear that the ATP-release is part of a mechanism controlling the dilation of the body’s blood vessels. The study of the erythrocyte’s behaviour is complicated by the fact that they respond easily to any physical contact. In this paper we propose a new method for studying the dynamics of the ATP-release by combining non-contact acoustic trapping in a microfluidic chip with a chemiluminiscent assay. Sensitivity levels down to 10 pM were achievable and the ATP-release from a cluster of levitated live erythrocytes was recorded.