Abstract

GravityFLOW: A Microphysiological System Built For 3D Microtissue Spheroids

Olivier Frey, Head of Technology and Platforms, InSphero AG

The GravityFLOW microfluidic platform builds on the European project "Body-on-a-Chip" in collaboration with ETH Zurich, and is fully tailored to incorporate microtissue spheroids.  The platform enables culturing of microtissues under physiological flow conditions, with the flexibility to interconnect and culture different types of microtissues for a variety of pre-clinical testing applications. The full polystyrene device is based on SBS-plate standards, includes 8 separate channels and each channel contains up to 10 spheroid compartments. Up to 10 same or different spheroids can be interconnected and cultured in 8 identical or different conditions in parallel. Currently, we are investigating liver-tumor and liver-islet interactions. Open media reservoirs are located at both ends of each channel. Perfusion flow is generated through tilting the device back and forth on an automated system inside an incubator. Multiple devices can be operated in parallel. Its simplicity and robustness in handling together with the compatibility to automation makes the platform truly scaleable.