Microfluidic Spheroid Generation

Primary cell modeling is crucial for drug discovery as it offers a more physiologically relevant system compared to traditional cell lines or animal models. By using human-derived primary cells, researchers can more accurately mimic human biology, leading to better predictions of a drug’s efficacy, toxicity, and metabolism. This innovation reduces the gap between preclinical studies and clinical outcomes, enhancing the reliability of data and potentially accelerating the development of safer and more effective therapeutics.

A key challenge in primary cell modeling lies in reproducibility, scalability, and donor-to-donor variability. To address these obstacles, we have implemented a microfluidic spheroid generation procedure. This process produces highly homogeneous capsules, each containing a precisely defined number of cells. Within the confined environment, cell spheroids spontaneously form within 2 to 12 hours, further reinforced by hydrogel formation within the capsule. The resulting droplets are then separated from oil and plated on plastic. This procedure enables the generation of over 5,000 microspheres per hour, allowing the creation of a homogeneous array from a single tumor.