Towards the development of a multi-compartment micro-cell culture device

Our final goal is development of a multi-compartmental micro-cell coculture device "on-chip animal/human". Toward this goal, we have been developing two types of coculture system using conventional cell culture technologies. They are a double-layered static system consisting of a small intestinal cell membrane and target cells and the other system is the perfusion culture version of the same combination of the cells. These new systems well incorporated the absorption of chemicals across the small intestinal membrane, thereby improved in vivo predictivity. In addition, we observed enhanced responses in coculture system against toxic chemicals, indicating partly an in vitro reproduction of in vivo systemic responses. About the incorporation of microfluidic technologies, we are developing two perfusion microbioreactors for a high-cell density culture of liver cells and for a two compartment culture system suitable for small intestinal cells. On the basis of these experiences, a prototype of on-chip animal/human has been designed and is now under fabrication.