A reconfigurable microfluidic building block platform for high-throughput nonhormonal contraceptive screening

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Reproductive Biology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Hormonal contraceptives have side effects and associated risks.
• Screening nonhormonal contraceptives is crucial for family planning and reproductive health.
• Current phenotypic screening methods for contraceptives are complex and challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional microfluidic platform for efficient cell-based drug screening.
• To create a versatile and scalable system for identifying nonhormonal contraceptives.
• To overcome the challenges associated with traditional contraceptive screening methods.

Main Methods:

• A reconfigurable three-layer microfluidic platform was designed and fabricated.
• The platform integrates interchangeable 3D microfluidic building blocks and a multiwell array with membrane filters.
• Demonstrated an 8x16 (128 wells) system for cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) expansion and oocyte maturation assays.

Main Results:

• The microfluidic platform successfully performed COC expansion and oocyte maturation assays.
• The system demonstrated scalability and reconfigurability for various drug screening applications.
• The platform streamlines cell culture, medium exchange, staining, and imaging processes.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic platform offers a versatile solution for nonhormonal contraceptive screening.
• This technology can significantly advance the development of safer family planning methods.
• The platform's adaptability supports future applications in diverse cell-based drug discovery.