New chip design lets researchers test how cells react to different materials
Scientists have created a microfluidic device that rapidly tests how human cells respond to various biomaterials in realistic conditions, complete with fluid flow and mechanical stress. The platform could accelerate development of implants, tissue engineering products, and regenerative medicine therapies by cutting months off material testing cycles.
Originaltitel: Universal Biomaterial-on-Chip: a versatile platform for evaluating cellular responses on diverse biomaterial substrates
<p>Microfluidics has emerged as a promising approach for assessing cellular behavior in vitro, providing more physiologically relevant cell culture environments with dynamic flow and shear stresses. This study introduces the Universal Biomaterial-on-Chip (UBoC) device, which enables the evaluation of cell response on diverse biomaterial substrates in a 3D-printed microfluidic device. The UBoC platform offers mechanical stimulation of the cells and monitoring of their response on diverse biomaterials, enabling qualitative and quantitative in vitro analysis both on- and off-chip. Cell adhesion and proliferation were assessed to evaluate the biocompatibility of materials with different physical properties, while mechanical stimulation was performed to investigate shear-dependent calcium signaling in pre-osteoblasts. Moreover, the applicability of the UBoC platform in creating more complex in vitro models by culturing multiple cell types was demonstrated, establishing a dynamic multicellular environment to investigate cellular interfaces and their significance in biological processes. Overall, the UBoC presents an adaptable tool for in vitro evaluation of cellular behavior, offering opportunities for studying various biomaterials and cell interactions in microfluidic environments.</p>