Chipless Millifluidics Device for Rapid Fabrication of Hepatic Spheroids with Decellularized Liver Matrix

Spheroids - simple 3D cellular aggregates, provide a superior model for simulating the <i>in vivo</i> complexity and architecture often lacking in traditional 2D cell cultures. They have numerous applications, including drug toxicity testing, disease modeling, tumor research, and regenerative medicine. However, existing spheroid preparation methods face significant challenges, particularly in achieving consistent shapes and sizes. Our work focuses on developing an affordable, user-friendly, and robust device for automated spheroid generation. This device uniquely utilizes decellularized extracellular liver matrix to encapsulate HepG2 cells, producing uniform liver spheroids as precise droplets in virgin coconut oil. The novelty of our approach lies in its ability to quickly and efficiently produce spheroids in large quantities, allowing for reproducible spheroid production while addressing the limitations of standard methods. By enhancing control over spheroid morphology and facilitating large-scale generation, our device promises to significantly advance the field of <i>in vitro</i> modeling and improve the reliability of experimental outcomes in various biomedical applications.