Retina-on-a-chip: a microfluidic platform for point access signaling studies
Kirsten H Dodson1, Franklin D Echevarria2, Deyu Li3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Biomedical Microdevices
|November 13, 2015
Summary
A novel microfluidic platform enables long-term culture of whole retinas. This system allows precise reagent delivery for studying signaling events in excised tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Maintaining excised organ viability ex vivo is challenging.
- Studying cellular signaling in intact tissues requires precise control over microenvironment and reagent delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a microfluidic platform for culturing whole organs or tissue slices.
- To demonstrate the capability of point-access reagent delivery for probing signaling events in retinal tissue.
Main Methods:
- A microfluidic device was designed with negative pressure to secure whole mouse retinas.
- Twelve 100 μm diameter through-holes in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane provided fluidic access points.
- Assays included toluidine blue staining, cholera toxin beta transport, and lipopolysaccharide response.
Main Results:
- Whole mouse retinas were successfully maintained in culture for multiple days.
- Localized application of reagents demonstrated transport dynamics within the retinal tissue.
- The platform responded to stimuli like lipopolysaccharide, indicating functional viability.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic platform supports ex vivo culture of whole retinas.
- Point-access fluidic delivery is effective for investigating signaling pathways in excised tissues.
- This technology offers a new tool for studying various excised tissues, including the retina.
