Fabrication and self-assembly of movable microstructures embedding cells inside microfluidic devices

Abstract

Currently the research about large quantities cells assembly is seriously regarded, since it can provide high efficiency methods for artificial tissue engineering. In this paper, we report a cell assembly method based on cell immobilization by photo-crosslinkable resin and microfluidic self-assembly inside microfluidic devices. The on-chip fabrication of movable microstructures embedding yeast cells (W303) based on Poly (ethylene glycol) Diacrylate (PEGDA) was reported. A 2-layer microfluidic device was fabricated by Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and self-assembly method of the fabricated movable microstructures via this device was preliminarily demonstrated.