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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro
Published on: November 20, 2011
Spheroscope: A custom-made miniaturized microscope for tracking tumour spheroids in microfluidic devices
A Rodríguez-Pena1, J Uranga-Solchaga2, C Ortiz-de-Solórzano1
1IDISNA, Ciberonc and Solid Tumours and Biomarkers Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
Abstract:
3D cell culture models consisting of self-assembled tumour cells in suspension, commonly known as tumour spheroids, are becoming mainstream for high-throughput anticancer drug screening. A usual measurable outcome of screening studies is the growth rate of the spheroids in response to treatment. This is commonly quantified on images obtained using complex, expensive, optical microscopy systems, equipped with high-quality optics and customized electronics. Here we present a novel, portable, miniaturized microscope made of low-cost, mass-producible parts, which produces both fluorescence and phase-gradient contrast images. Since phase-gradient contrast imaging is based on oblique illumination, epi-illumination is used for both modalities, thus simplifying the design of the system. We describe the system, characterize its performance on synthetic samples and show proof-of-principle applications of the system consisting in imaging and monitoring the formation and growth of lung and pancreas cancer tumour spheroids within custom made microfluidic devices.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel, low-cost microscope for analyzing tumor spheroids. This portable device enables efficient monitoring of cancer cell growth in 3D culture models for drug screening.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Microscopy
- Cancer Research
Background:
- 3D tumor spheroids are crucial for high-throughput anticancer drug screening.
- Quantifying spheroid growth typically requires expensive, complex optical microscopy systems.
- There is a need for accessible and portable imaging solutions in cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel, portable, and low-cost microscope for imaging tumor spheroids.
- To enable efficient monitoring of spheroid formation and growth using advanced imaging techniques.
- To simplify the process of anticancer drug screening through accessible technology.
Main Methods:
- Designed and constructed a miniaturized microscope using affordable, mass-producible components.
- Integrated both fluorescence and phase-gradient contrast imaging modalities.
- Utilized oblique illumination with epi-illumination for simplified system design.
- Validated system performance on synthetic samples and cancer spheroids in microfluidic devices.
Main Results:
- The developed microscope successfully produced both fluorescence and phase-gradient contrast images.
- Characterization on synthetic samples demonstrated system performance.
- Proof-of-principle applications showed effective imaging and monitoring of lung and pancreas cancer spheroid formation and growth.
Conclusions:
- The novel microscope offers a cost-effective and portable solution for spheroid imaging.
- This technology can significantly benefit high-throughput anticancer drug screening and cancer research.
- The system simplifies the monitoring of 3D cell culture models in microfluidic devices.
