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Abstract:
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The thesis is part of SOLOMANDA (Manipulation, Detection and Analysis of Single Biological Cells) - a project supported by Tekes. The background of the project is the effort to replace use of laboratory animals and human cells of cancer origin by heterogeneous cell cultures. In order to achiee that, three groups were working on the joint-project. VTT Automation was responsible for visual servoing of cells and incubation, Medical School of Tampere University was studying cell models and supplying cells for testing and finally Automation and Control Institute of Tampere University of Technology was developing a novel micromanipulator (MANiPEN) and injection methods. This thesis concerns an improved calibration procedure for microinjectors and implementation of a microinjector with MANiPEN microinjector. Hence, the hesis firstly gives a brief summary of microinjection methods including mechanical, optical, electrical and chemical methods. Then a brief introduction into cellular structure is given. Capillary pressure microinjection (CPM) - as the selected technology - is then widely discussed in terms of history, typical components, application technique and classification, which brings new light into the field, since such an expensive overview of the technology has perhaps not been done yet.Later, the thesis concentrates on capillary pressure microinjection having an external pressure source. An overview of components is given, operation principle is explained and functions are described, followed by a survey of state-of-the-art devices. The survey is followed by stating the requirements on the device and a choice of a microinjector is done. Next reasons for injected volume variability are comprehensively discussed showing the complexity of the problem. Solutions are outlined and future a steps sketched. In the next part, calibration methods for calibration of microinjectors are introduced. In the experimental part, the calibration system and procedure are described and the results of implementation of the injector with the micromanipulator and the results of calibration are presented. Conclusions are drawn in the last chapter and more importantly, future developments in the field of microinjection are recommended. /Kir10 |