Abstract

Leveraging Microfabrication to Create Scalable Complex in vitro Models of Tissue

Joseph Charest, Principal Member, Technical Staff, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

We present a microfluidics-based model tissue which expresses active organ-specific function.  Controlled microfluidic fluid flow, cell-substrate topography, and cell-cell cues are used to create tissue which can be evaluated within the microfluidic architecture for barrier function and active transport function.  To achieve higher levels of throughput, the model can be replicated within a 96-well format while still maintaining the unique characteristic of controlled flow.  To improve data collection, integrated electrical traces measure trans-epithelial/endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) in near real-time and provide a means to create additional sensing capabilities in the future.  The microfluidic model demonstrates the ability to generate tissue in vitro with tissue-specific function, provides near real-time feedback on tissue barrier function, and can scale to relevant levels of throughput resulting in a screening tool for drug interaction with transport tissues.