Premium
Generating Multicompartmental 3D Biological Constructs Interfaced through Sequential Injections in Microfluidic Devices
Author(s) -
Ugolini Giovanni Stefano,
Visone Roberta,
Redaelli Alberto,
Moretti Matteo,
Rasponi Marco
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201601170
Subject(s) - polydimethylsiloxane , self healing hydrogels , microfluidics , molding (decorative) , materials science , nanotechnology , composite number , 3d printed , biomedical engineering , computer science , biological system , composite material , engineering , biology , polymer chemistry
A novel technique is presented for molding and culturing composite 3D cellular constructs within microfluidic channels. The method is based on the use of removable molding polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) inserts, which allow to selectively and incrementally generate composite 3D constructs featuring different cell types and/or biomaterials, with a high spatial control. The authors generate constructs made of either stacked hydrogels, with uniform horizontal interfaces, or flanked hydrogels with vertical interfaces. The authors also show how this technique can be employed to create custom‐shaped endothelial barriers and monolayers directly interfaced with 3D cellular constructs. This method dramatically improves the significance of in vitro 3D biological models, enhancing mimicry and enabling for controlled studies of complex biological districts.