Fabrication and self-assembly of movable microstructures embedding cells with concentration control inside microfluidic devices

Currently the research about large quantities cells assembly is seriously regarded, since it can provide high efficiency methods for artificial tissue engineering. In this paper, we report a novel cell assembly method based on cell immobilization by photo-crosslinkable resin, cell manipulation by dielectrophoresis (DEP) and microfluidic self-assembly inside microfluidic devices. The on-chip fabrication of movable microstructures embedding yeast cells (W303) based on Poly (ethylene glycol) Diacrylate (PEGDA) was reported. Novel microelectrodes are fabricated by Cr/Au for manipulating cells before immobilization. A microfluidic chip for controlling cell concentration with separated patterning and fabrication areas is fabricated. Movable microstructures embedding microbeads of which the concentration is controllable are fabricated in the microfluidic channel, inside PEGDA and NaCl solution. A 2-layer microfluidic device is fabricated by Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and self-assembly method of the fabricated movable microstructures via this device is preliminarily demonstrated. © 2012 IEEE.