Spatially Patterned Neural and Cardiac Differentiation of Embryoid Body (eb) in a Microfluidic Device

Experiments using a micro-device, consisting of two flow channels and 3 pillars standing at the channel crossing, firstly showed that an embryoid body (EB) of iPS cells can be differentiated into neural and cardiac cells in a spatially patterned manner. Theoretical simulation showed that the chemical gradients can be kept at the crossing even with small flowing velocity of 0.1uL/min. It demonstrated that patterned differentiation is induced in one EB when 2 media were perfused simultaneously. The experiments show its advantages in maintaining a low shear while keeping two gradients; it will help to understand the developmental biology.