Biomimetic device

An electrode-free apparatus comprising:

• a first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel forming a first flow direction, the first microfluidic channel having a first height of about 100 microns a first width of about 350 microns as measured perpendicular to the first flow direction;
• a second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel forming a second flow direction, the second microfluidic channel having a second height of about 100 microns and a second width of about 1,000 microns as measured perpendicular to the second flow direction;
• a membrane for culturing cells, the membrane having a first major surface and a second major surface, the membrane comprising pores extending between the first and second major surfaces, whereby the membrane has an average pore density of about 1.5×107 pores/cm2;
• and
• a layer of first cells disposed on the first major surface of the membrane facing the first microfluidic channel or a layer of first cells disposed on the second major surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel;
• wherein the first microfluidic channel overlaps the second microfluidic channel at an intersection point, and at the intersection point the first flow direction is perpendicular to the second flow direction.

An electrode-free apparatus comprising:

• a first layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel having a first height of about 100 microns, a first length, and a first width of about 350 microns, the first width being uniform along the first length of the first microfluidic channel;
• a second layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel having a second height of about 100 microns, a second length, and a second width of about 1,000 microns, the second width being uniform along the second length of the second microfluidic channel, the second width being wider than the first width;
• a membrane for culturing cells, the membrane having a length that is at least the same as either the first or second length and a width that is at least the same as either the first or second width, and the membrane having a first major surface and a second major surface, the membrane comprising pores extending between the first and second major surfaces, whereby the membrane has an average pore density of about 1.5×107 pores/cm2;
• and
• wherein the membrane is bonded to each of the first layer and the second layer by a polydimethylsiloxane mortar film having a thickness ranging from about 2 microns to about 3 microns, and wherein the membrane is configured to have a layer of first cells disposed on the first major surface of the membrane facing the first microfluidic channel or a layer of first cells disposed on the second major surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel.