Surface Optimization and Design Adaptation toward Spheroid Formation On-Chip
Spheroids have become an essential tool in preclinical cancer research. The uniformity of spheroids is a critical parameter in drug test results. Spheroids form by self-assembly of cells. Hence, the control of homogeneity of spheroids in terms of size, shape, and density is challenging. We developed...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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Series: | Sensors |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/9/3191 |
Summary: | Spheroids have become an essential tool in preclinical cancer research. The uniformity of spheroids is a critical parameter in drug test results. Spheroids form by self-assembly of cells. Hence, the control of homogeneity of spheroids in terms of size, shape, and density is challenging. We developed surface-optimized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) biochip platforms for uniform spheroid formation on-chip. These biochips were surface modified with 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) to effectively suppress cell adhesion on the PDMS surface. These surface-optimized platforms facilitate cell self-aggregations to produce homogenous non-scaffold-based spheroids. We produced uniform spheroids on these biochips using six different established human cell lines and a co-culture model. Here, we observe that the concentration of the BSA is important in blocking cell adhesion to the PDMS surfaces. Biochips treated with 3% BSA demonstrated cell repellent properties similar to the bare PDMS surfaces. This work highlights the importance of surface modification on spheroid production on PDMS-based microfluidic devices. |
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ISSN: | 1424-8220 |