Microfluidic droplet generator for lymph node microphysiological models

System of syringe pumps, PDMS chips, fluorinated oil, surfactants, and Collagen type-I, allowing for the creation of collagen beads and an accurate model of the lymphatic system to be created after placement of B and T cells.

Project Overview

Prostate cancer (PCa) commonly metastasizes through the lymphatic system. Understanding how cancer cells spread through lymph nodes is therefore critical to developing therapies that can prevent or limit metastasis. However, current lymph node models primarily represent tissue in two dimensions and cannot fully replicate its complex three-dimensional structure and cellular interactions. This project aims to fabricate a microfluidic droplet device capable of producing B- and T-cell-containing collagen microspheres, which will serve as building blocks for a realistic 3D lymph node model to more accurately study cancer metastasis.