Universal Biomaterial-on-Chip: A modular platform for flexible biomaterial integration and versatile quantitative assessment

• A requirement for clinical approval is verification of a biomaterial’s functionality and biocompatibility. However, discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo evaluations have been reported, possibly due in part to a lack of physiological relevance of typical in vitro culture set-ups. We introduce a Universal Biomaterial-on-Chip (UBoC), which is a microfluidics device that allows integration of biomaterials with varied shapes and properties and subsequent evaluation of in vitro performance under design considerations that resemble physiological conditions. In addition, UBoC operates with multifunctional modalities such as continuous perfusion, shear stress mechanostimulation and cell co-culture. The device is constructed using simple 3D printing and microfabrication techniques and its cell culture area resembles a 96-well plate (0.32 cm2). Successful cell adhesion and proliferation was observed on-chip on different materials (hydroxyapatite, titanium and fibrin) using fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, device applicability for mechanostimulation was demonstrated through shear stimulation, where sensitivity of pre-osteoblasts to flow was captured via live Ca2+ imaging. Finally, the modularity of the UBoC platform for on-chip co-culture experiments was established after simple modifications of on-board fluidic arrangements. Overall, the UBoC presents a useful tool that augments existing in vitro testing strategies and enables thorough comparisons between biomaterials in tunable culture conditions.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Biomaterials

Calcium imaging

Mechanobiology

Microfluidics

Standardization

3D printing

Engineering Science with specialization in Biomedical Engineering

Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot medicinsk teknik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)