Device and microfluidic system for studying cell cultures

A microfluidic device for culturing cell samples comprising:

• one or more capillary channels for circulating cells or fluid media, or both, each capillary channel extending between a first end and a second end,
• a first inlet port connected to each first end and a second inlet port connected to each second end for seeding cells or for circulating fluid, or both, through the one or more capillary channels,
• one or more culture wells forming cell housing volumes for three-dimensional cell culture, wherein the one or more culture wells are formed in the one or more capillary channels such that said one or more capillary channels are connected to the one or more culture wells as culture well perfusion means;
• wherein each of the first and second inlet ports have housing volumes for housing a liquid at a level above the level of the one or more capillary channels, such that said liquid exerts pressure at both ends of said one or more capillary channels;
• and
• wherein the device further comprises:
• an upper region reservoir for containing fluids above the one or more capillary channels and for accessing the one or more culture wells, providing a two-dimensional cell culture surface adjacent thereto, and
• one or more walls confining a perimeter of the upper region reservoir for containing fluids in said upper region reservoir, and
• wherein the one or more culture wells are open such that the one or more culture wells are accessible through the upper region reservoir, and
• wherein each of the first and second inlet ports of the one or more capillary channels extend also above the upper region, and each of the first and second inlet ports have an opening configured such that a pipette or a fluid connector can be fitted therein.