Nature Methods 2015-07-01

Functional differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells on a chip.

Giovanni G Giobbe, Federica Michielin, Camilla Luni, Stefano Giulitti, Sebastian Martewicz, Sirio Dupont, Annarosa Floreani, Nicola Elvassore

Index: Nature Methods 12 , 637-40, (2015)

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Abstract

Microengineering human "organs-on-chips" remains an open challenge. Here, we describe a robust microfluidics-based approach for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells directly on a chip. Extrinsic signal modulation, achieved through optimal frequency of medium delivery, can be used as a parameter for improved germ layer specification and cell differentiation. Human cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes derived on chips showed functional phenotypes and responses to temporally defined drug treatments.