Modeling of hanging-drop networks to optimize the mobility of flowing cells in a physiological environment

Abstract

Few “body-on-a-chip” systems incorporate the circulation of cells between tissues despite its vital role in connecting organs in vivo. To include this component, we added flowing single cells to a hanging-drop network, a modular microfluidic platform used to study multi-tissue interactions. To obviate stagnation of circulating cells at the bottom of hanging drops, we used finite-element modeling and broad parameter sweeps on drop dimensions to map forces acting on cells at the air-liquid interface. This model suggested an optimal range of drop height to aperture radius ratios, which would ensure long-term cell circulation through a hanging-drop network.