The Pearl plate enables long term perfusion culture of hepatocytes. Cells from suspension are loaded using the Pearl Loading System to create a liver-sinusoid configuration for maintained function. A microfabricated porous perfusion barrier localizes hepatocytes into 3D cords, while enabling continuous diffusive nutrient exchange. A set of air channels ensures high oxygen transport to the cells. Hepatocytes are fed by gravity perfusion, allowing multiple plates to be run in a standard incubator.

Key Features:

• 32 fully independent perfusion units
• Microfabricated environment mimics natural liver
• Maintains liver-metabolic activity for 30+ days
• Pump-free culture in a standard incubator
• Automation compatible 96 well format
• #1.5 glass bottom for high quality imaging

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Product Note

Figure 1. Well Layout

The Pearl microfluidic plate offers the most advanced technology for long term in vitro hepatocyte culture. Our innovative microfluidic design combines a bio-mimetic microenvironment with continuous flow nutrient exchange to provide the most relevant model for hepatocyte function in vivo.

The easy to use format and fool-proof operation allow any user to run long-term primary hepatocyte culture experiments with confidence.

The well layout of the Pearl plate is schematically depicted in figure 1. Thirty-two flow units are tiled on a 96 well plate frame. Each flow unit consists of 3 wells arranged in a single row, representing the flow inlet, an enclosed cell culture area, and the flow outlet.

The culture area consists of a set of parallel cell channels and perfusion channels, separated by a microfabricated endothelial-like perfusion barrier (figure 2).

Cells are loaded into the culture area from Outlet to Inlet using the Automated System. This creates high density cords of cells as depicted in figure 3.

Gravity perfusion of medium (from Inlet to Outlet) passes through the perfusion channels with diffusive exchange through the barriers (figure 4). A continusous flow rate of ~100 ul/day maintains long term hepatocyte health. After ~3 days of microfluidic culture, the hepatocytes recover and assume a "tissue-like" morphology with stable metabolic activity (figures 4 and 5).

A #1.5 thickness glass bottom enables high NA imaging on any inverted microscope or high content analysis instrument.

Due to the high gas permeability of the materials and rapid microscale diffusion, the Pearl design maintains a well balanced oxygen and CO₂ supply to cultured cells.

Validated with cryopreserved and freshly isolated hepatocytes from human and rat origin.

Figure 2. Cell Culture Area

Figure 3. Cell Loading

Figure 4. Perfusion Flow