Issue 4, 2023

Pump-less, recirculating organ-on-a-chip (rOoC) platform

Abstract

We developed a novel, pump-less directional flow recirculating organ-on-a-chip (rOoC) platform that creates controlled unidirectional gravity-driven flow by a combination of a 3D-tilting system and an optimized microfluidic layout. The rOoC platform was assembled utilizing a layer-to-layer fabrication technology based on thermoplastic materials. It features two organoid compartments supported by two independent perfusion channels and separated by a hydrogel barrier. We developed a computational model to predict wall shear stress values and then measured the flow rate in the microfluidic channels with micro-Particle-Image-Velocimetry (μPIV). The suitability of the rOoC for functional culture of endothelial cells was tested using HUVECs seeded in the perfusion channels. HUVECs aligned in response to the directional flow, formed a barrier and were able to sprout into the organoid compartments. Next, we demonstrated the viability of human stem-cell derived liver organoids in the organoid compartments. Finally, we show the possibility to circulate immune cells in the microfluidic channels that retain viability without being trapped or activated. The rOoC platform allows growing and connecting of two or more tissue or organ representations on-chip with the possibility of applying gradients, endothelial barriers, microvasculature and circulating cells independent of external tubing and support systems.

Graphical abstract: Pump-less, recirculating organ-on-a-chip (rOoC) platform

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Oct 2022
Accepted
19 Dec 2022
First published
20 Dec 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2023,23, 591-608

Pump-less, recirculating organ-on-a-chip (rOoC) platform

M. Busek, A. Aizenshtadt, T. Koch, A. Frank, L. Delon, M. A. Martinez, A. Golovin, C. Dumas, J. Stokowiec, S. Gruenzner, E. Melum and S. Krauss, Lab Chip, 2023, 23, 591 DOI: 10.1039/D2LC00919F

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