John Rogers1
Northwestern University1
Three-dimensional (3D), sub-millimeter-scale tissue constructs derived from human stem cells are of rapidly growing importance in biological and medical research. Despite their great potential for studies of topics with both fundamental and translational interest, such types of miniaturized, fragile 3D living biosystems cannot be examined easily using conventional methods based on planar technologies, such as conventional multi-electrode arrays. An ideal solution would involve complaint, shape-matched device platforms in 3D geometries that can gently envelop the organoids as multifunctional electronic, optoelectronic, microfluidic, thermal, mechanical and biochemical interfaces. This talk summarizes our recent work on a 3D technology platform of this type, where reversible, engineering control over shapes, sizes and complex geometries can be tailored to match organoids of interest and also to support interconnected collections of them. Various aspects of the materials associated with these systems, and their applications to cortical and cardiac spheroids will be discussed.