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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
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On-chip self-assembly of cell embedded microstructures to vascular-like microtubes
Tao Yue1, Masahiro Nakajima, Masaru Takeuchi
1Department of Micro-Nano Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan. yue@robo.mein.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Lab on a Chip
|January 30, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed a novel microfluidic device for self-assembling vascular-like microtubes using cell-embedded structures. This method offers a new approach for creating artificial blood vessels in tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Tissue Engineering
- Biomaterials Science
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Constructing vascular-like tubular structures is crucial for artificial blood vessel development.
- Existing methods require further innovation for efficient and scalable fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel fluidic self-assembly method for constructing vascular-like microtubes.
- To demonstrate the on-chip fabrication and self-assembly of cell-embedded microstructures within a microfluidic device.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 4-layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device with integrated fabrication, self-assembly, and extraction areas.
- On-chip fabrication of cell-embedded microstructures using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA).
- Fluidic self-assembly within a micro well and extraction using a normally closed (NC) micro valve.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of the fluidic self-assembly mechanism for microtubes.
- Evaluation of the performance of the normally closed (NC) micro valve.
- Optimization of embedded cell concentration (Fibroblast, NIH/3T3).
- Construction of fibroblast-embedded vascular-like microtubes within the reusable device.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic device enables efficient, on-chip fabrication and self-assembly of vascular-like microtubes.
- This method provides a promising platform for tissue engineering applications, particularly in artificial blood vessel construction.
- The reusable nature of the device enhances its potential for broader research and development.
