Fabrication of high aspect ratio microfluidic devices for long term in vitro culture of 3D tumor models

We developed a simple method to fabricate high aspect ratio 3D microfluidic devices, as geometrically optimized microenvironment for long-term culture of tumor models (i.e., spheroids). The device consists 2 mm-wide central chamber spheroid flanked by two 976 ?m-wide side channels medium and nutrients supply. To cage hydrogel inside the chamber, are isolated using pillar arrays whose geometry has been carefully designed. role height on growth heterotypic pancreatic spheroids, made cancer cells fibroblasts, was first studied. Predictably, in 100 ?m-high cannot grow vertically exhibits an elongated horizontally flattened shape. Instead, can freely 300 500 chambers invasion individual surrounding matrix be observed over period 20 days culture. In second step, we investigated original design with distinct heights channels. Such design, which promotes better resist adherence, could printed without any residue after development. spheroids cultured this two-level revealed progressive cell migration, validating new approach.