MICROFLUIDIC ORGAN-ON-A-CHIP DEVICE WITH POROUS MEMBRANE FOR LONG-TERM CELL CULTIVATION

Currently, microfluidic organ-on-a-chip devices are considered as an alternative for drug testing in preclinical studies. They can simulate the structure and functions of individual human organs and organ systems, such as lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, etc. for screening various substances. One of the key elements of organ-on-achip devices is a flexible porous membrane. Cell growth on such membranes allows studying the cellular response to mechanical and chemical stimuli. In this research, we developed a method for fabricating microfluidic organ-on-a-chip devices containing a flexible suspended porous membrane made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which increase the mechanical strength of the membrane and do not affect its optical properties. The use of carbon nanotubes made it possible to increase the surface area of the obtained membranes and reduce their rupture during production. For cell growth in the organ-on-a-chip devices, a passive change of the nutrient medium was used. It was based on periodic changes in the tilt angle of the device located on an oscillating platform. This approach allowed growing cells of model cell lines for more than 7 days with a viability of more than 95%. The results obtained indicate good biocompatibility of the used material and its applicability for the fabrication of flexible porous membranes in organ-on-a-chip devices.