Development of chorion-less zebrafish embryos in millifluidic living embryo arrays

Dechorionation of zebrafish embryos has been proposed as a tool to improve toxicity bioassays because the chorion membrane forms a molecular barrier that can slow down or prevent chemicals from reaching the embryo. Despite its potential importance for experimental and predictive toxicology, the culture of dechorionated zebrafish embryos in a microfluidic environment has so far not received any attention. Here, we demonstrate a new Lab-on-a-Chip technology capable of automated, hydrodynamic immobilization of dechorionated embryos of Danio rerio. We show that chorion-less embryos can develop normally under microfluidic perfusion and be successfully used for on-chip developmental toxicity bioassays.