Two-Compartments Microbioreactor with Integrated Magnetic Stirrer Pump for Measurement of Transmembrane Transport of Caco-2 Cells

We have developed and experimentally demonstrated a microbioreactor embedded with stirrer-type micropumps for on-chip perfusion of culture medium and optical fiber connectors for on-chip and real-time fluorescent detection. The cell culture chamber was separated two compartments by a polyester-made semi-permeable membrane, which can realize polarized cell culture condition and detection of fluorescent movement in-between the two-compartments. As an evaluation of the microbioreactor, it was measured that Rhodamine-123 movement by the activity of P-glycoprotein of a small intestine model cell of Caco-2. As a result, the change of fluorescent intensity of Rhodamine-123 from basolateral side to apical side of Caco-2 cells was successfully detected