The researchers led by Prof. Andreas Hierlemann, Professor at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), and Olivier Frey successfully created a network of spherical micro-tissues (spheroids) in hanging drop platforms. The cells can communicate through fine mesh-like channels via fluid currents. According to a current press release, the cells’ morphology and behaviour are very similar to those of real cells in an organ. The drops are continuously supplied with a nutrient solution pumped into the channels.

The scientists can feed test substances into the system in defined concentrations via supply lines.

Several spheroids of different cell types can be arranged in order they would occur in the body and can be exposed to various concentrations of a substance.

The researchers have already tested their system successfully, for instance with the conversion of an anti-cancer agent component into an active agent with the help of liver spheroids, and have filed a patent application for their new test platform.

As a next step the researchers want to equip their platform with sensors for measuring metabolites in the drops.

Source:
https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2014/06/haengende-tropfen-plattform.html

Original paper:
Frey O, Misun PM, Hierlemann A. Reconfigurable microfluidic hanging drop network for multi-tissue interaction and analysis. Nature Communications, online publication from June 30, 2014 DOI:10.1038/ncomms5250