Elsevier

Analytical Biochemistry

Volume 437, Issue 2, 15 June 2013, Pages 161-163
Analytical Biochemistry

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Pumpless steady-flow microfluidic chip for cell culture

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2013.02.007Get rights and content

Abstract

The current research engineered a pumpless energy-efficient microfluidic perfusion cell culture chip that works by modifying the basic gravity-driven siphon flow using an intravenous (IV) infusion set as a conventional, inexpensive, and sterile tool. The IV set was modified to control the constant hydrostatic head difference, thereby maintaining the steady flow rate medium perfusion. The micro-bioreactor chip demonstrated flexibility in controlling a wide range of flow rates from 0.1 to 10 ml/min, among which 1- and 5-ml/min flow rates were examined as suitable shear flows for long-term dermal fibroblast cell culture, paving the way for artificial skin development.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Korea–New Zealand Joint Research Program funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (2011K000700) and was further supported by the Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program (10035197) funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea.

References (19)

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