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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Scalable Fabrication of Stretchable, Dual Channel, Microfluidic Organ Chips
Published on: October 20, 2018
An adaptable soft-mold embossing process for fabricating optically-accessible, microfeature-based culture systems and
Steven P Maher1, Amy J Conway2, Alison Roth2
1Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA. dennis.kyle@uga.edu and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
Researchers developed microfeature-based hepatocyte confinement (μHEP) systems for improved malaria parasite liver stage modeling. This novel platform enhances parasite infection and sustains hepatocyte function for better drug screening and organoid development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Advanced cell culture models are crucial for replicating in vivo conditions, especially for liver research.
- Liver disease modeling, including malaria parasite infection, requires stable hepatocyte cultures and high-content imaging.
- Previous work showed abiotic confinement extends hepatocyte longevity in microfluidic platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microtiter plate-based hepatocyte confinement system (μHEP) for improved Plasmodium vivax liver stage culture.
- To maintain optical accessibility for high-content and high-resolution imaging (HC/RI) in a microtiter plate format.
- To create a more accurate preclinical model for hepatic assays and antimalarial drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- A novel fabrication process using PDMS soft mold embossing to create microfeatures in polystyrene plates.
- Optimization of a single-step embossing process for microfeatures and culture wells, yielding a 100 μm-thick bottom.
- Utilizing μHEP systems for intrahepatic parasite infection assays and phenotypic dose-response studies of antimalarials.
Main Results:
- Microfeatures in μHEP systems significantly improved intrahepatic parasite infection rates.
- Reference antimalarial drug activity was confirmed in phenotypic dose-response assays using μHEP systems.
- RNA sequencing confirmed that μHEP systems sustain hepatocyte differentiation and function.
Conclusions:
- Microfeature-based hepatocyte confinement (μHEP) provides a robust platform for modeling liver-stage malaria and preclinical hepatic assays.
- The tailorable embossing process offers a cost-effective method for developing advanced organoid models.
- μHEP systems enhance parasite infection and maintain hepatocyte function, improving malaria drug screening accuracy.
