Low-cost, tape-sealed, PDMS-molded devices using 3D printing for cell adhesion under flow

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microfluidics offer advanced control for cell studies but traditional methods are costly and complex.
• Developing accessible microfluidic platforms is crucial for broader research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a low-cost, user-friendly microfluidic device for cell studies using 3D printing.
• To enable long-term adherent cell culture within the microfluidic device.
• To demonstrate rapid prototyping and optimization for bioanalytical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic molds using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing.
• Assessment of surface characteristics using contact angle analysis.
• Reversible device sealing using tape, and development of a cell culture treatment solution.
• Integration of a miniature incubator, fluidic system, and heating pad for long-term experiments.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated reusable, low-cost microfluidic devices.
• Tape-sealed devices exhibited superior pressure resistance (4x) compared to glass-sealed devices.
• Established adherent culture of U-87 human glioblastoma cells, confirmed by viability and morphology monitoring.
• Demonstrated feasibility of long-term experiments with continuous flow.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers an accessible and cost-effective method for microfluidic device fabrication.
• Tape sealing provides a robust and reusable alternative for device assembly.
• The developed microfluidic platform supports long-term adherent cell culture and continuous flow, facilitating cellular analysis.