ADVANCES IN RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF BLOOD CELLS AND STEM CELLS USING MICROFLUIDICS

Microfluidics, which serves as a micro total analysis system, offers various advantages such as precise flow control, low sample requirements, and integratability. It has been widely applied in the fields of biomedicine and environmental science. The flexible design of microfluidic channel structures enables the simulation of complex vascular microenvironments under physiological and pathological conditions. By integrating super-resolution microscopic imaging technology, researchers can observe and analyze dynamic changes in cells at the microscale in real time. Microfluidic chip systems have facilitated significant advances in the study of cell morphological and mechanical properties. This article focuses on the application and progress of microfluidic chip technology and relevant numerical simulation technology to the rheological behavior of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) as well as stem cells. It first introduces the use of microfluidic chips and numerical simulations in the study of RBC deformation. It then discusses the application of microfluidic chip systems and related numerical simulations in WBC margination. Subsequently, it summarizes the application of microfluidic chip systems and related numerical simulations in stem cell migration and directed differentiation. Finally, it provides a prospectus on the challenges and development trends of microfluidic technology and numerical simulation technology in the study of blood cell and stem cell rheology.