Methods and uses for ex vivo tissue culture systems

Abstract

The technology described herein is directed to methods and devices that can be used to induce functional organ structures to form within an implantation device by implanting it in vivo within the body of a living animal, and allowing cells and tissues to impregnate the implantation device and establish normal microenvironmental architecture and tissue-tissue interfaces. Then the contained cells and tissues can be surgically removed intact and either transplanted into another animal or maintained ex vivo by perfusing it through one or more of the fluid channels with medium and/or gases necessary for cell survival.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 a) providing one or more organoids and a microfluidic device, said device comprising a growth chamber; and   b) inducing said one or more organoids to colonize said growth chamber.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said growth chamber comprises a channel. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said organoids comprise bone marrow organoids. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising implanting said microfluidic device in vivo in a subject. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising contacting said bone marrow organoids with at least one of demineralized bone powder and bone morphogenic protein (BMP). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising providing perfusion fluid. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein providing a perfusion fluid comprises connecting the microfluidic device to a microfluidic system. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a porous separation component. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port connecting to the microfluidic system.