Issue 23, 2009

Tunable shrink-induced honeycomb microwell arrays for uniform embryoid bodies

Abstract

Embryoid body (EB) formation closely recapitulates early embryonic development with respect to lineage commitment. Because it is greatly affected by cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, the ability to control the initial number of cells in the aggregates and to provide an appropriate substrate are crucial parameters for uniform EB formation. Here we report of an ultra-rapid fabrication and culture method utilizing a laser-jet printer to generate closely arrayed honeycomb microwells of tunable sizes for the induction of uniform EBs from single cell suspension. By printing various microwell patterns onto pre-stressed polystyrene sheets, and through heat induced shrinking, high aspect micromolds are generated. Notably, we achieve rounded bottom polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) wells not easily achievable with standard microfabrication methods, but critical to achieve spherical EBs. Furthermore, by simply controlling the size of the microwells and the concentration of the cell suspension we can control the initial size of the cell aggregate, thus influencing lineage commitment. In addition, these microwells are easily adaptable and scalable to most standard well plates and easily integrated into commercial liquid handling systems to provide an inexpensive and easy high throughput compound screening platform.

Graphical abstract: Tunable shrink-induced honeycomb microwell arrays for uniform embryoid bodies

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Jul 2009
Accepted
18 Sep 2009
First published
12 Oct 2009

Lab Chip, 2009,9, 3338-3344

Tunable shrink-induced honeycomb microwell arrays for uniform embryoid bodies

D. Nguyen, S. Sa, J. D. Pegan, B. Rich, G. Xiang, K. E. McCloskey, J. O. Manilay and M. Khine, Lab Chip, 2009, 9, 3338 DOI: 10.1039/B914091C

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