title: Generating Multicompartmental 3D Biological Constructs Interfaced through Sequential Injections in Microfluidic Devices.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Stefano
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ugolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Visone
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redaelli
authors.affiliation: Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, 20161, Milano, Italy.|Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900, Lugano, Switzerland.|Swiss Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 6900, Lugano, Switzerland.|Cardiocentro Ticino, 6900, Lugano, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasponi
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D020100:Hydrogels; C013830:baysilon
keywords: biofabrication; composite 3D constructs; microfluidics; microtissues, organs-on-chip