Figure 11.

Gut-on-a-chip model to reconstitute intestinal structure and function. (a) A schematic of the gut-on-a-chip device showing ECM-coated membrane patterned with gut epithelial cells. Central microchannels allow perfusion and vacuum chambers enable peristaltic strain. (b) An image of the gut-on-a-chip device. A syringe pump controls fluid transport. (c) Cross-sectional view of the top and bottom channels. Inset shows a top view of the porous membrane (10 mm pores). (d) Intestinal monolayers cultured in the absence (left) or presence (right) of mechanical strain (30%; black arrows indicate direction). Red and blue outlines indicate the shape of a single Caco-2 cell before and after applied mechanical strain, respectively. The white circles are pores in the membrane beneath the epithelial monolayer. Measurement of strain in the PDMS membrane (open circles) and cells (closed circles) with respect to applied vacuum pressure. Scale bars are 20 mm. Reprinted with permission from Kim, 2012¹¹².