A sensorised, microfluidic Ussing chamber manufactured by stereolithography and soft lithography techniques

Abstract

Motivated by the need for improved platforms in biomedical research, this study addresses challenges associated with traditional Ussing chamber systems, widely used in studying biological barriers like the epithelial barrier of the gut. These challenges include complexity, high sample volumes, and limited compatibility. By combining stereolithography and soft lithography techniques, a microfluidic Ussing chamber is manufactured, overcoming these limitations, and incorporating compatibility with microscopy. Validation through Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) measurements confirms its efficacy in assessing ion permeability dynamics, utilizing Caco-2 cell monolayers. The study showcases the capability of the manufactured chamber for sensing impact of calcium on tight junctions.