On-chip self-assembly of cell embedded microstructures to vascular-like microtubes.
Currently, research on the construction of vascular-like tubular structures is a hot area of tissue engineering, since it has potential applications in the building of artificial blood vessels. In this paper, we report a fluidic self-assembly method using cell embedded microstructures to construct vascular-like microtubes. A novel 4-layer microfluidic device was fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which contains fabrication, self-assembly and extraction areas inside one channel. Cell embedded microstructures were directly fabricated using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) in the fabrication area, namely on-chip fabrication. Self-assembly of the fabricated microstructures was performed in the assembly area which has a micro well. Assembled tubular structures (microtubes) were extracted outside the channel into culture dishes using a normally closed (NC) micro valve in the extraction area. The self-assembly mechanism was experimentally demonstrated. The performance of the NC micro valve and embedded cell concentration were both evaluated. Fibroblast (NIH/3T3) embedded vascular-like microtubes were constructed inside this reusable microfluidic device.
Department of Micro-Nano Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan. yue@robo.mein.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Tao
T
Yue
Masahiro
M
Nakajima
Masaru
M
Takeuchi
Chengzhi
C
Hu
Qiang
Q
Huang
Toshio
T
Fukuda
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D009757:Nylons; C085707:poly(dimethylsiloxane)-polyamide copolymer; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols