Microfluidic cell-to-cell communication array

Multicellular organisms possess elegant networks of individual cells in constant communication with each other. The regulation and transport of signaling molecules from one cell to its neighboring cells ensures the proper functioning of an organism. Failure of cell-to-cell communication pathways have been implicated in many diseases including cancer. We propose a microfluidic device for the high-throughput study of cell-cell communication between single cell pairs. Our design utilizes microfluidics to selectively position two different cell populations in membrane contact with each other. The fabrication method, ease of operation, and high-throughput capability of this device should enable a more thorough understanding of the biology underlying cell-cell communication.