OPEN-TOP MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SIMULATING A FUNCTION OF A TISSUE
A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.
1 . A method of seeding cells, comprising:
(a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber separated from the first chamber by a membrane, the first chamber positioned under a removable cover;
(b) removing the removable cover thereby creating an opened region over a first side of the membrane; and
(c) seeding the first side of the membrane with said cells.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said cells are epithelial cells.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said epithelial cells are lung epithelial cells.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane includes endothelial cells on the opposite side of the membrane.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the second chamber includes fluidics configured to supply the endothelial cells with culture fluid.
6 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising (d) culturing the lung epithelial cells submerged in culture fluid.
7 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising (e) culturing the lung epithelial cells in air without culture media.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said second chamber is coupled to a channel.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said first chamber comprises a gel matrix.
10 . A method of treating cells, comprising:
a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber separated from the first chamber by a membrane, the membrane including cells on a side facing the first chamber, the cells positioned under a removable cover;
b) removing the removable cover thereby creating an opened region over the cells; and
c) treating the cells with an agent.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the agent is in an aerosol.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the agent is in a liquid, gas, semi-solid, solid, or particulate form.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said cells are epithelial cells.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said epithelial cells are lung epithelial cells.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the membrane includes endothelial cells on the opposite side of the membrane.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second chamber includes fluidics configured to supply the endothelial cells with culture fluid.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said second chamber is coupled to a channel.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said first chamber comprises a gel matrix.