Poster J17 - Design, Development, and Validation of Lab-On-A-Chip Cell Biology Migration Assay

Thursday, October 24, 2024

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Co-Author(s)

MS

Matthew Steneri

Student
Western New England University, United States

Presenting Author(s)

MB

Matthew Brennan

Student
Western New England University, Massachusetts, United States

Primary Investigator(s)

DJ

Devina Jaiswal

Associate Professor
Western New England University
Glastonbury, Connecticut, United States

Introduction: Cell migration assay is commonly used to assess cellular response to cytokines and drug molecules [1]. The assay is conventionally conducted using trans wells placed in standard cell culture wells (Fig. 1A). Even though the technology has produced meaningful results, it has limitations such as a high cost and lack of resources for an in-depth assay [2]. This study focuses on the design and validation of a low-cost lab-on-a-chip cell migration assay.

Materials and

Methods: A 12-well, three-layer chip was designed and fabricated (Fig. 1B) using stereolithography. The bottom layer is a cell culture chamber appropriate for 2D and 3D cell culture, with a constant supply of nutrients connected to the inlets and outlets. The top layer mimics a trans well that can house reagents such as cytokines and drugs. These reagents can filter through the semipermeable membrane (Fig 1B, green layer) and interact with cells. The device was tested for long-term use and leakage using an adhesion test. Four test resin chips were bonded to various materials using four adhesives: (1) resin to resin using fluid resin as the bonding agent, (2) glass to resin using Loctite Glass Glue, (3) PMMA (Poly-Methyl Meth Acrylate) to resin using Loctite Super Glue, and (4) glass to resin using Loctite Super Glue. The experiment was recorded while pumping fluid through the test chip. 2D and 3D culture compatibility was tested with three substrates: glass, 3D printed biocompatible resin and agarose. A live-dead assay was used to test cellular viability.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: The results of the adhesion test prove that the resin-to-resin (Case 1) test chip allowed for the most secure fit (Fig. 2A). Other cases showed varying leakage, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 2C-D. Additionally, three substrates were tested to visualize the cellular compatibility of the device. Human skin fibroblast cells were seeded in wells coated with glass and resin (2D culture), and agarose (3D culture). Cells attached to the glass (Fig. 3A) and the resin-coated well (Fig. 3B) two-dimensionally. In Fig. 3B, the cells aligned themselves along the ridges created by the 3D printer, making it suitable for neural cell studies [3]. Furthermore, cells formed 3D spheroids in (Fig. 3C) the agarose-coated well.
In conclusion, a microfluidic migration assay chip was successfully fabricated. The results from the bonding test, and the functionality test proved that the chip is suitable for long term 2D and 3D culture migration assays.

Acknowledgements (Optional):