The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Cells exposed to oxidative stress exhibit highly dynamic and heterogeneous responses depending on the timing, duration, and history of stimulation. In this study, we present a pneumatic valve–based microfluidic platform that enables digitally programmable input of oxidative stress stimuli to investigate stress responses with high temporal precision. Using A549 human lung epithelial cells and sodium arsenite as a model oxidative stressor, we applied temporally defined stimulation patterns, including single-pulse and repeated pulse inputs, by digitally actuating pneumatic valves integrated into the microfluidic device. Cellular responses were assessed by monitoring stress granule formation and recovery dynamics at the single-cell level using fluorescence microscopy. Overall, this study highlights the utility of digital stimulation using pneumatic valve–based microfluidics as a powerful approach for dissecting the temporal regulation and memory effects of cellular responses.