Simultaneous or Sequential Orthogonal Gradient Formation in a 3D Cell Culture Microfluidic Platform.

ABSTRACT: Biochemical gradients are ubiquitous in biology. At the tissue level, they dictate differentiation patterning or cell migration. Recapitulating in vitro the complexity of such concentration profiles with great spatial and dynamic control is crucial in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of biological phenomena. Here, a microfluidic design capable of generating diffusion-driven, simultaneous or sequential, orthogonal linear concentration gradients in a 3D cell-embedded scaffold is described. Formation and stability of the orthogonal gradients are demonstrated by computational and fluorescent dextran-based characterizations. Then, system utility is explored in two biological systems. First, stem cells are subjected to orthogonal gradients of morphogens in order to mimic the localiz

SUBMITTER: Uzel SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4752442 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature