Biological Implications of Polymeric Microdevices for Live Cell Assays

Abstract

Lab-on-a-chip technologies have the potential to deliver significant technological advances in modern biomedicine, through the ability to provide appropriate low-cost microenvironments for screening cells. However, to date, few studies have investigated the suitability of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for live cell culture. Here, we describe an inexpensive method for production of reusable, optical-grade PDMS microculture chips which provide a static and self-contained microwell system analogous to conventional polystyrene multiwell plates. We use these structures to probe the effects of PDMS upon live cell culture bioassays, using time-lapse fluorescence imaging to explore the toxicity of the substrate. We use three model systems to explore the efficacy of the microstructured devices: (i) live cell culture, (ii) adenoviral gene delivery to mammalian cells, and (iii) gravity enforced formation of multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS). Results show that PDMS is nontoxic to cells, as their viability and growth characteristic in PDMS-based platforms is comparable to that of their polystyrene counterparts.

Microfluidics: Emerging prospects for anti-cancer drug screening

“…As such, it can be effectively used for spatio-temporal stimulation of cells and drug delivery to restricted subcellular compartments ( Figure 2) [18,19] . The enclosed and sterile formats of microfluidic LOC devices eliminate evaporative water loss from microsized channels [20] . Biocompatible and inexpensive polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are often materials of choice for the fabrication of disposable cell-based microfluidic devices [20,21] .…”

“…The enclosed and sterile formats of microfluidic LOC devices eliminate evaporative water loss from microsized channels [20] . Biocompatible and inexpensive polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are often materials of choice for the fabrication of disposable cell-based microfluidic devices [20,21] . These innovative polymers prevent cross-contamination of biological specimens that are subjected to parallel stimulation with a number of different drugs [20,21] .…”

“…Biocompatible and inexpensive polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are often materials of choice for the fabrication of disposable cell-based microfluidic devices [20,21] . These innovative polymers prevent cross-contamination of biological specimens that are subjected to parallel stimulation with a number of different drugs [20,21] . Innovative biopolymers used for the fabrication of microfluidic devices also provide secure biocontainment of infectious specimens, such as viral gene vectors or HIV + and blood samples [20,21] .…”

“…These innovative polymers prevent cross-contamination of biological specimens that are subjected to parallel stimulation with a number of different drugs [20,21] . Innovative biopolymers used for the fabrication of microfluidic devices also provide secure biocontainment of infectious specimens, such as viral gene vectors or HIV + and blood samples [20,21] . When desirable, current microfabrication techniques also allow the creation of microfluidic circuitry in glass and quartz, which enhances the durability and application range in high-pressure applications.…”

On-chip three-dimensional tumor spheroid formation and pump-less perfusion culture using gravity-driven cell aggregation and balanced droplet dispensing

“…Recently, a number of microfluidic spheroid chips have been developed to implement the on-chip formation and culture of 3D tumor spheroids. However, the previous spheroid chips [9][10][11][12][13] still utilize static cell culture, thus rendering a) Current affiliation: Process Methodology Development Group, Samsung Electromechanics Co., Ltd.…”