Abstract
This thesis reports a lobule-mimicking chip, which was dedicated to reconstruct lobule tissue in vitro. In order to maintain the pattern of heterogeneous cells, the biocompatible material, Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels, was used. GelMA is a photocrosslinkable material which could be photocrosslinked under UV light. The chip design was divided into two parts: the first part includes the GelMA concentration generator, and the second part is composed of the cell patterning and the GelMA covering chamber. The GelMA concentration generator could generate three kinds of GelMA concentration: 5%, 10%, and 15%. In the cell culture chamber, 17 sets of hexagonal electrodes were located inside of it. Each set of hexagonal electrodes was used to attract and pattern 3T3 cells and C3A cells. After two kinds of cells were patterned and attracted to the defined location, different concentration of GelMA was loaded into the cell culture chamber. In order to understand the influence between different concentration of GelMA and cells, the tests of viability and urea had been performed. The viability of cells under 5% of GelMA can maintain 95% after72-hrs culture. By increasing the concentration of GelMA, the cell viability would decrease down to 78%. The urea assay showed that cells covered by GelMA can still maintain their activity. The results also showed that patterned cells covered by GelMA modules can maintain their pattern after 3-days culture. Compared with the patterned cells without covering GelMA modules, 3T3 cells grow faster than C3A cells and migrate above C3A cells.