HIGH-TECH LABCOURSES
HIGH-TECH
LABCOURSES
Red blood cells distribution in a model network
Blood primarily consists of red blood cells in suspension in plasma, a Newtonian fluid.The distribution of red blood cells within a given vessel, or from one vessel to another, is far from homogeneous, and the way they split at the vessels junctions is a very complex issue.
This lab-course enables the participant to observe and understand the mechanisms driving the behaviour of red blood cells, particularly their distribution in the complex network of capillaries, through microfluidic experimentations and associated measurements.
PREREQUISITE
This lab-course is suited to students from the L3 level with a background in fluid mechanics.
DESCRIPTION
We will consider an in-vitro network reproducing the main features of complex network of vessels in which blood circulates.
The observations show that the haematocrit (blood cells concentration) is very heterogeneous in the network from one branch to another.
The origin of the asymmetric splitting of the cells at a channels' bifurcation is experimentally tested and the agreement of the experimental data with the existing models which attempt to predict the final haematocrit in each branch of a given circuit as a function of the inlet haematocrit, the viscosity of the fluid and the flow rate is discussed.
To that aim, we will measure velocities and concentrations in red blood cells within the network.
LOCATION
Laboratory LIPhy
140 rue de la physique
(see map below)