Microfluidic system and method for assembling and for subsequently cultivating, and subsequent analysis of complex cell arrangements

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method to assemble organotypical tissues which can then be perfused and investigated under preferably physiological conditions. This is achieved by a microfluidic system for assembling and subsequently cultivating complex cell arrangements, comprising: a three-dimensional microstructure in which the cell arrangement is assembled and cultivated, at least two microchannel segments running in the microstructure and defining a flow direction, through which microchannel segments the microstructure can be perfused from outside with a medium, whereby the microchannel segments run approximately parallel or equidistant to one another at least in sections, a wall structure which separates the at least two microchannel segments and in which at least one aperture connecting the at least two microchannel segments is provided, and an electrode arrangement provided in or on the microstructure in order to generate an inhomogeneous electric field in the region of the at least one aperture.

主权项

1. A microfluidic system for assembling and subsequently cultivating complex cell arrangements, comprising:
a three-dimensional microstructure in which the cell arrangement is assembled and cultivated, at least a first microchannel segment and a second microchannel segment running in the microstructure and defining a flow direction, through which first and second microchannel segments the microstructure can be perfused from outside with a medium, whereby the microchannel segments run approximately parallel or equidistant to one another at least in sections, a wall structure separating the at least first and second microchannel segments from each other, in which wall structure at least one aperture is provided for connecting the at least first and second microchannel segments, and an electrode arrangement provided at the microstructure in order to generate an inhomogeneous electric field in the region of the at least one aperture, wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least one first channel electrode provided in said first microchannel segment and not in said second microchannel segment, and at least one second channel electrode provided in said second microchannel segment and not in said first microchannel segment.