Abstract

TranSphere: Transporting Live Cell Cultures Under Ambient Conditions Using Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

Peter Ertl, Professor of Lab-on-a-Chip Systems, Vienna University of Technology

Living cell cultures are widely using in basic to applied research and industrial production. To meet the growing demand for living human cells in biological and medical research as well as pharmaceutical development, cell lines are either ordered and shipped from well-known cell banks around the world or sent between different laboratories. The cryogenic and live transport of cells is not only problematic since high cell viability must be guaranteed, they are also important cost factor considering the prize dry ice and portable incubators. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a microfluidic multi-spheroid array that utilizes the resilience of 3D cell aggregates to cope with physical, chemical and environmental influences such pH changes, mechanical stress and ambient temperatures. In this presentation biochip design, fabrication and initial testing results will be presented.