Fluid dynamics analysis of a novel micropatterned cell bioreactor

Although flow-based bioreactor has been widely used to provide sufficient mass transportation and nutrient supply for cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, the underlying mechanism of cell responses to applied flow at single cell level remains unclear. This study has developed a novel bioreactor that combines flow bioreactor with microfabrication technique to isolate individual cells onto micropatterned substrate. A mechanical model has also been developed to quantify the flow field or the microenvironment around the single cell; flow dynamics has been analyzed on five geometrically different patterns of circle-, cube-, 1:2 ellipse-, 1:3 ellipse-, and rectangle-shaped "virtual cells." The results of this study have demonstrated that the flow field is highly pattern dependent, and all the hydrodynamic development length, cell spacing, and orientation of inlet velocity vector are crucial for maintaining a fully developed flow. This study has provided a theoretical basis for optimizing the design of micropatterned flow bioreactor and a novel approach to understand the cell mechanotransduction and cell-surface interaction at single cell level.