Multiplexed In Vivo Screening Of Biological Samples

摘要

Microfabricated platforms can be used to study a heterogeneous panel of biosamples in a realistic in vivo setting. The platform can be formed of a polymer (e.g., a hydrogel) and can be constructed for implantation into an animal host for in vivo testing. The platform can have a plurality of testing regions therein that are constructed to allow exposure of the testing region to the host stroma when implanted in vivo. For example, the microfabricated platform can be used for screening different cancer cell-lines (e.g., to identify which cell line responds to an anti-cancer drug) or for screening different biomaterials (e.g., to identify a composition with ideal host response for a specific implantable device).

主权项

1. A device for screening multiple biological samples in vivo, the device comprising:
a platform member having a plurality of testing regions thereon, each of the testing regions having a chamber configured to hold a different biological sample for interaction in vivo with stroma cells when implanted into a host animal, the platform member being of a fluid impermeable material that defines the testing region chambers except for a membrane at a face of each chamber, the membrane separating the host animal environment from the chamber, thereby defining isolating portions arranged between adjacent testing regions that prevent direct movement of all fluid and/or material from one testing region to another testing region and permit exchange of fluid through the membrane directly with the host animal stroma cells when implanted into the host animal; and a loading layer coupled to the platform member and having a plurality of separate microfluidic channels therein, each chamber being connected by a respective one of the microfluidic channels to a respective separate outer inlet, which provides access from outside the platform member.