Micro-sandwich in microfluidics: 3D biopolymer membranes for cell assembly
Journal
14th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences
Journal Volume
3
Pages
1601-1603
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
We demonstrate the biofabrication of three dimensional (3D) biopolymer membranes and the assembly of two cell lines in a micro-sandwich structure in microfluidics. A freestanding chitosan membrane was first fabricated by using pH gradients generated at the flow interface of two converging flows. The micro-sandwich was then fabricated by cross-linking alginate on both sides of the chitosan membrane with diffusion of calcium ions through the semi-permeable chitosan membrane. Cell assembly was achieved by blending cells into the alginate solution to embed the target cells into the micro-sandwich alginate scaffolds. The cell assembly process is simple, fast and easy to control.
Subjects
Biofabrication; Cell assembly; Membrane; Three dimensional
Other Subjects
Alginate scaffolds; Alginate solutions; Biofabrication; Cell assembly; Chitosan membrane; Converging flow; Flow interface; Target cells; Alginate; Biomolecules; Blending; Cell culture; Cells; Chitosan; Membranes; Microfluidics; Three dimensional; Scaffolds (biology)
Type
conference paper