Vascularized perfused microtissue/micro-organ arrays

A method for screening drugs for biological activity, toxicity or teratogenicity comprising adding a drug to an apparatus which comprises:

• a) a matrix comprising one or more channels which support the viability of cells,
• b) cells forming microvascular networks within the channels of the matrix, and
• c) means for detecting changes in the cells or in compounds exposed to the cells,
• wherein the cells are perfused with nutrients and oxygen through the microvascular network sufficient to maintain the viability of the cells.

A method for propagating stem cells comprising:

• a) providing an apparatus which comprises:
• a matrix, which includes:
• i) one or more channels within the matrix,
• ii) endothelial cells within the channels of the matrix, and
• iii) means for detecting changes in the cells or in compounds exposed to the cells,
• wherein the matrix allows perfusion through the channels of the matrix of the cells with nutrients and oxygen sufficient to maintain the viability of the cells;
• and
• b) propagating the cells on the matrix.

A method for screening a compound for at least one activity under physiological conditions in a microarray comprising exposing cells in an apparatus, which comprises a matrix, which includes:

• i) one or more channels within the matrix,
• ii) endothelial cells within the channels of the matrix, and
• iii) means for detecting changes in the cells or in compounds exposed to the cells,
• wherein the cells form microvascular networks in the channels of the matrix and the channels allow perfusion of the cells with nutrients and oxygen sufficient to maintain the viability of the cells exposed to a compound to be tested and screened for at least one effect of the compound on the cells.