We fabricate tiny capillaries from a specially formulated hydrogel material, and generate living tissue around them. Capillaries are arranged at close distance to each other, such that nutrients diffusing through their walls into the tissue can reach every single cell.
Using these synthetic capillaries we obtain a highly defined and reliable perfusion of the tissue leaving no single cell without oxygen and nutrients necessary to maintain their normal activity. This allows us to generate dense and truly 3-dimensional tissues with paracrine cellular communication preserved. Just like in the original organs.
Integrated and Multiplexed Platform
To greatly improve platform portability and ease of handling we integrate synthetic capillaries and the rest of the culture medium recirculation system directly in a compact SBS-compatible fluidic chip. Our self-contained system requires no external pumps or dragging tubing.
The Livegrid™ platform is multiplexed, compact, and complemented by on-board sensors to monitor pressure, temperature and flow rate of the culture medium. All flow parameters are controlled remotely via WiFi.
Integrated neural interface
Livegrid™ platform implements an unique feature of chronic recording (and stimulation) of the electrical activity in Livegrid™ perfused neuronal tissues. We employ custom-fabricated ultra-flexible micro-electrode arrays to provide bi-directional communication with our perfused-brain-on-chip systems.