Integrated microfluidic control employing programmable tactile actuators

A device suitable for the culture of a living organism in a fluid wherein the fluid composition is supplied as a flow of fluid, said device comprising a microfluidics device comprising a substrate having therein at least one empty space whose shape and/or volume is desired to be altered, said empty space defined on one side thereof by a deformable elastomer layer;

• and an electronically addressable tactile actuator proximate a side of said elastomer layer, said tactile actuator having a plurality of spaced apart individually addressable extendable protrusions, at least one of which, when actuated, bears upon said deformable elastomer layer, deforming said layer, and altering the shape and/or volume of said empty space, wherein at least one empty space comprises a growth chamber for said organism, said growth chamber in fluid communication with at least one reservoir, and at least one fluid pumping portion, said fluid pumping portion comprising a flow channel and, said tactile actuator programmed to extend and retract said protrusions independently from each other in a sequence which causes liquid to be pumped through said flow channel, and wherein the width of each addressable extendable protrusion is larger than the width of said flow channel, and wherein said addressable extendable protrusions restrict or close said flow channel when actuated, said flow channel communicating with said reservoir and said growth chamber, such that fluid flows from said reservoir through said growth chamber.