Biomimetic device

Abstract

Described herein are apparatus comprising: a first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel; a second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel; and a membrane for culturing cells; along with methods of making and using same.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first layer formed of an elastomeric material, the first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel having a first length and a first width;   a second layer formed of an elastomeric material, the second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel having a second length and a second width; and   a membrane for culturing cells having a first major surface and a second major surface.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane is configured to have a layer of first cells disposed on a major surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein at least a portion of the membrane for culturing cells is semi-permeable and is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the first layer and second layer comprise the same material. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane for culturing cells comprises a material selected from a polycarbonate, a polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, a mixed cellulose ester, PDMS and a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane for culturing cells is in fluid communication with one or both of the first and second layers. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane for culturing cells is adapted to culture a plurality of cell lines. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the first major surface of the membrane is adapted to culture a first cell line. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein the second major surface of the membrane is adapted to culture a second cell line. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein the first major surface comprises a first layer of cells comprising a first cell line. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the second major surface comprises a second layer of cells comprising a second cell line. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the first cell line comprises endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, tumor cells, stem cells, alveolar cells, epithelial cells, nerve cells, hepatic cells or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the second cell line comprises endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, tumor cells, stem cells, alveolar cells, epithelial cells, nerve cells, hepatic cells or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the first layer of cells comprises endothelial cells or tumor cells. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the second layer of cells comprises smooth muscle cells or tumor cells. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the first major surface of the membrane faces the first microfluidic channel; and wherein the second major surface of the membrane faces the second microfluidic channel. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , further comprising a treatment agent provided in one of the first and second microfluidic channels. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , for use in combination with a 96-well plate. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the elastomeric material is selected from an organosilicon, silicon, glass, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, cyclic olefin copolymer, polycarbonate and a combination of two or more thereof.