microfluidic flow systems for adherent cells

However, in order to achieve improved control over a cell's microenvironment, additional microscale-based techniques are needed. The use of microfluidics for this has been recognized, but its true potential has emerged only recently with the advent of hybrid systems, offering increased throughput, multicellular interactions, substrate functionalization on 3D geometries, and simultaneous control over chemical and mechanical stimulation.

In this review, we discuss recent advances in microfluidic flow systems for adherent cells and elaborate on their suitability to mimic physiologic micromechanical environments subjected to fluid flow.

Fluid flow in systems such as the lymphatic or circulatory systems modulates not only cell morphology, but also gene expression patterns, extracellular matrix protein secretion and cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions.

shear fluid flow orchestrates collective behaviours of adherent cells found at the interface between tissues and their fluidic environments. These behaviours range from alignment of endothelial cells in the direction of flow to stem cell lineage commitment.