Scalable Fabrication of Stretchable, Dual Channel, Microfluidic Organ Chips

Richard Novak; Meredyth Didier; Elizabeth Calamari; Carlos F Ng; Youngjae Choe; Susan L Clauson; Bret A Nestor; Jefferson Puerta; Rachel Fleming; Sasan J Firoozinezhad; Donald E Ingber

doi:10.3791/58151

Scalable Fabrication of Stretchable, Dual Channel, Microfluidic Organ Chips

JoVE Journal
Bioengineering
Author Produced

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JoVE Journal Bioengineering

Scalable Fabrication of Stretchable, Dual Channel, Microfluidic Organ Chips

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14:44 min

October 20, 2018

DOI: 10.3791/58151-v

Richard Novak*¹, Meredyth Didier*^1,2, Elizabeth Calamari¹, Carlos F Ng¹, Youngjae Choe¹, Susan L Clauson¹, Bret A Nestor¹, Jefferson Puerta¹, Rachel Fleming¹, Sasan J Firoozinezhad¹, Donald E Ingber^1,3,4

¹Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering,Harvard University, ²Apple, Inc, ³Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, ⁴Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery,Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Overview

This protocol describes the fabrication of stretchable, dual channel, organ chip microfluidic cell culture devices. These devices are designed to recapitulate organ-level functionality in vitro, mimicking physiological conditions.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Microfluidics
Cell culture
Organ-on-a-chip technology

Background

Organ chips are used to simulate organ functions in vitro.
Mechanical cues are important for tissue development.
3D printing allows for precise mold fabrication.
These devices can mimic blood flow and other bodily fluid dynamics.

Purpose of Study

To fabricate organ chipped devices that replicate organ-level functions.
To understand complex physiological processes in vivo.
To provide a platform for studying organ-specific responses.

Methods Used

3D printing of molds using soft silicon rubber.
Integration of mechanical stretching capabilities.
Incorporation of perfusion systems to mimic blood flow.
Testing the functionality of the fabricated devices.

Main Results

Successful fabrication of stretchable organ chip devices.
Devices demonstrated the ability to mimic organ-level functions.
Mechanical cues positively influenced tissue behavior.
Perfusion systems effectively replicated fluid dynamics.

Conclusions

The protocol provides a reliable method for organ chip fabrication.
These devices can enhance the understanding of organ physiology.
Potential applications in drug testing and disease modeling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are organ chips?

Organ chips are microfluidic devices that simulate the functions of human organs in vitro.

How are the devices fabricated?

The devices are fabricated using 3D printed molds made from soft silicon rubber.

What is the significance of mechanical cues?

Mechanical cues are crucial for tissue development and function, mimicking the natural environment of organs.

What does perfusion mimic in these devices?

Perfusion mimics blood flow and the movement of bodily fluids, essential for organ functionality.

What are potential applications of these organ chips?

They can be used for drug testing, disease modeling, and understanding organ-specific responses.

Here, we present a protocol that describes the fabrication of stretchable, dual channel, organ chip microfluidic cell culture devices for recapitulating organ-level functionality in vitro.

The overall goal of this protocol is to describe the fabrication of organ chipped microfluidic devices for recapitulating organ level functionality in vitro. This protocol describes a way to fabricate organ chipped devices recapitulating organ level function in vitro. The func, the devices, such as these, are actually fabricated using 3D printed molds out of a soft silicon rubber.

This rubber enables us to actually imbue these devices with mechanical cues that enables us to stretch the tissue as you would get in let's say a lung or a gut. We also add profusion, which mimics blood flow and the flow of other bodily fluids within organ systems. Now taken together, these devices enable us to actually recreate and try to understand the complex physiology that happens in vivo.

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