Abstract: Microfluidic platforms for forming and culturing perfusable hydrogel vascularized tissues typically include one or more culture chambers. Each culture chamber includes at least two openings overlaid over a gel channel. The gel channel typically includes at least two tissue zones and a trapping or insertion portion positioned between the tissue zones. The trapping or insertion portion permits vascular networks to develop between the two tissue zones containing vascularized tissues and/or vascularized tissue masses. The vascularized tissue masses in the tissue zones of the gel channel are connected indirectly, via the vascular network of the trapping portion. Also described are methods of forming and culturing perfusable vascularized tissue masses directly or indirectly interconnected via vascularized networks.