Abstract: A device for cell differentiation, which may be used for culturing cells for example, includes an enclosure defining a liquid-receiving volume for receiving a liquid media, and an insert received in the enclosure. The insert includes a peripheral wall circumscribing an apical volume and having an opening in a bottom end of the insert. A membrane extends across the opening and defines pores sized to receive cells, with an apical side of the membrane adapted to receive cells thereon. The membrane and the peripheral wall separate the liquid-receiving volume into an apical volume within the insert and a basal volume below the membrane within the enclosure. A source of a pressurized fluid is in fluid flow communication with the basal volume to define a basal pressure in the basal volume that is greater than an apical pressure in the apical volume acting against the apical side of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention details the design and operation of a miniaturized device array in which a range of simultaneous mechanical forces are produced by a single external pressure source. The invention is primarily embodied in a microfabricated device arrays designed to rapidly probe biological cell response to various combinations of mechanical, chemical and extra-cellular matrix parameters in a high-throughput fashion.

Abstract: The present invention details the design and operation of a miniaturized device array in which a range of simultaneous mechanical forces are produced by a single external pressure source. The invention is primarily embodied in a microfabricated device arrays designed to rapidly probe biological cell response to various combinations of mechanical, chemical and extra-cellular matrix parameters in a high-throughput fashion.