Cell culture array system for automated assays and methods of operation and manufacture thereof

摘要

A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation. In one embodiment, three wells are used for independent cell culture systems in a cell culture array. In a second aspect, artificial sinusoids with artificial epithelial barriers are provided with just one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic inlet and one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic output, where the medium output also functions as a cellular input. A pneumatic cell loader combined with other components provides a fully automated cell culture system. Magnetic alignment of plate molds provides advantages and ease of molded manufacture.

主权项

1. A microfluidic cell culture device comprising:
a medium inlet reservoir fluidically connected to two or more elongated microfluidic medium channels; two or more elongated cell culture channels configured to receive, localize, and culture a plurality of cells, each having a cell inlet opening at one end and a cell culture area at an opposite end from the cell inlet opening; a plurality of channel walls between and separating the medium channels and the cell culture channels; wherein the cell culture channels, the medium channels, and the channel walls each have a length substantially longer than their width; the channel walls comprising three regions along the length of the walls: a channel wall culture region where the channel walls have a plurality of medium inlet narrow passages; next to a channel wall cellular exclusion region wherein the channel walls have no passages; next to a medium outlet region, wherein the channel walls have a plurality of medium outlet narrow passages; the cell inlet openings fluidically connected to a cell inlet reservoir for introducing cells to the cell culture channels; wherein the medium inlet narrow passages in a wall together provide a larger fluidic flow cross section than the medium outlet narrow passages in that wall.