Development and Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices to Control Cell Microenvironment

In vivo cell behaviour is regulated by a cascade of biological stimulation that are finely delivered to the extracellular environment. The environmental stimulation includes interactions with other cells, interactions with the extracellular matrix, chemical factors, mechanical and physiochemical stimuli. These signals, often presenting themselves to cells according to specific temporal and spatial programmes rather than in an on/off like manner. The ability to control the microenvironment and to characterize the cellular response to several environmental signals is a very relevant topic in many disciplines. Therefore, the design and fabrication of versatile devices, along with the development of robust testing procedures is highly desirable. In fact, the deep understanding of specific cell responses to biochemical and/or biophysical stimuli can only be achieved if a tight and consistent control on cell microenvironment is possible. In the first part of project we have reported the design, fabrication and testing of a reliable and robust microfluidic device for the culture of mammalian cells in 3D environment, subjected to linear gradient of biomolecular signals. The most frequent issues that could arise from non optimized designs, fabrication and testing procedure were addressed and technical solutions to these were proposed. In the second part of project the setup of an experimental procedure to investigate the role of mechanical forces, here as interstitial fluid flow, on tumor invasion and metastasis in 3D matrix were highlighted.