title: Microfluidic array for three-dimensional perfusion culture of human mammary epithelial cells.
abstract: The ability to culture cells in three dimensional extracellular matrix (3D ECM) has proven to be an important tool for laboratory biology. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic perfusion array on a 96-well plate format capable of long term 3D ECM culture within biomimetic microchambers. The array consists of 32 independent flow units, each with a 4 μl open-top culture chamber, and 350 μl inlet and outlet wells. Perfusion is generated using gravity and surface tension forces, allowing the array to be operated without any external pumps. MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells cultured in Matrigel in the microfluidic array exhibit acinus morphology over 9 days consistent with previous literature. We further demonstrated the application of the microfluidic array for in vitro anti-cancer drug screening.
authors.affiliation: CellASIC Corporation, Hayward, CA 94545, USA.
authors.forename: Shin-Yi Cindy
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000166:cytology*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods