Development of a multi-layer microfluidic array chip to culture and replate uniform-sized embryoid bodies without manual cell retrieval

Lab Chip. 2010 Oct 21;10(20):2651-4. doi: 10.1039/c0lc00005a. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

We have developed a multi-layer, microfluidic array platform containing concave microwells and flat cell culture chambers to culture embryonic stem (ES) cells and regulate uniform-sized embryoid body (EB) formation. The main advantage of this platform was that EBs cultured within the concave microwells of a bottom layer were automatically replated into flat cell culture chambers of a top layer, following inversion of the multi-layer microfluidic array platform. This allowed EB formation and EB replating to be controlled simultaneously inside a single microfluidic device without pipette-based manual cell retrieval, a drawback of previous EB culture methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Cell Size
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Embryoid Bodies / cytology*
  • Embryoid Bodies / physiology
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Mice
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Organ Culture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Organ Size / physiology
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation*