Overflow microfluidic networks

Abstract

Living primary cells represent the best in vitro system for studying the origin and mechanism of complex diseases. Yet these cells can be very hard to obtain, culture and study using microfluidic systems. We present here overflow microfluidic networks (oMFNs) that are particularly appropriate for studying primary cells and cellular pathways: cells are deposited on a transparent oMFN and after an appropriate culture duration in a standard cell incubator, the oMFN is sealed with a lid and excess culture medium is accommodated by capillary structures in the periphery of the chip.