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

US8268152B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NMI Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen · DE

Inventors

• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE
• Brigitte Angres · Pfullingen, DE
• Massimo Kubon · Trier, DE
• Julia Schuette · Lörrach, DE
• Britta Hagmeyer · Lörrach, DE
• Felix Holzner · Zürich, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2010
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L3/5027
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A microfluidic system (12) for assembling and subsequently investigating complex cell arrangements has a three-dimensional microstructure (11) in which the cell culture is assembled, cultivated and investigated. At least two microchannel segments (16, 17) through which the microstructure (11) can be perfused from outside with a medium (21, 22) run in the microstructure (11), whereby the microchannel segments (16, 17) run at least in sections approximately parallel or equidistant to one another. The two microchannel segments (16, 17) are separated from one another by a wall structure (25) in which at least one aperture (26) connecting the two microchannel segments (16, 17) is provided. An electrode arrangement (27) is provided in or on the microstructure (11) in order to generate an inhomogeneous electric field (28) in the region of the at least one aperture (26). A cell arrangement is assembled in this microstructure (11) by supplying medium (21, 22) with cells (23, 24) for assembling the cell culture in the microstructure (11), with the inhomogeneous electric field (28) determined by the microstructure (11) bringing about the assembling of the cell arrangement from the supplied ce…