Microfabrication platform – µFAB

The µFab platform was launched within the framework of the Plascan Convergence Institute with the main objective of helping and accompanying researchers wishing to turn to new types of more realistic in vitro models allowing for better control of the cellular environment in 2D or 3D (adhesion, flow, mechanical constraints).

µFab also has expertise in the realization of microfluidic chips (in PDMS and/or hydrogel) and 3D printing of complex devices or micro-devices by stereolithography (SLA) or by fused deposition of wire (FDM).

Thanks to microfabrication techniques available at the platform, it is possible to create patterns with controlled geometries such as Agarose (hydrogel) or PDMS micro-wells for 3D* cell culture (spheroids, organoids) with a high statistical robustness and reproducibility. It is also possible to move towards “tumor-on-chip” to artificially recreate certain elements of the tumor microenvironment (presence of matrix, change of rigidity, presence of flow or associated cells).

*Patent : FR3079524 https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=FR&NR=3079524
Lab Chip, 2021,21, 2495-2510 https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00192B

Compared to standard 2D culture, this type of microsystem reduces the amount of biological samples needed, offers great possibilities of parallelization, facilitates in-situ observations and monitoring under microscopes, or the collection of specific cells.

The available manufacturing techniques:

The manufacturing process is described (at left) from CAD to the realization of the chip (in Agarose, PDMS or printed material)

Equipment list

The µfab platform has all the necessary equipment to produce PDMS or Agarose (hydrogel) chips. It provides existing molds (made at ILM by photolithography, 3D printing or micromachining).

The research engineer will also be able to help you in the design and manufacture of custom micro-devices to meet your biological needs.

Stereolithography 3D printing (SLA) or conventional filament printing (FDM):

The SLA 3D printers (based on photosensitive resins) shown here allow the production of complex 3D structures such as biocompatible and autoclavable microfluidic chips.

Thanks to the expertise of the team and the capabilities of SLA and FDM 3D printing, we are able to produce mechanical systems as well as temperature resistant and autoclavable custom chips that can be used in cell culture, microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip manufacturing. The materials used are semi-transparent and some are temperature resistant up to 200°C.

Also, this technology can be used to manufacture chip carriers and other parts.

Operation of the Platform

I. Service 1: “Do-it-yourself” (Replication of PDMS or Agarose molds)

The user is trained on the replication of chips from prefabricated molds.
This platform is entirely designed for the production of PDMS and Agarose microchip molds and replicas. The team will provide the expertise, protocols and equipment necessary to allow users to produce “home-made” chips. The sterilization of materials is possible thanks to a very modern autoclave.

II. Service 2: “Do-it together” (CAD of custom molds and other parts)

Design, manufacturing and replication are done in collaboration with the engineer.
We can provide CAD design assistance for the realization of your devices (micro-patterns, holders, milli or micro-fluidic devices) for various applications allowing to avoid from the beginning design errors before the manufacturing stage.

III. Service 3: “Beyond limits” (Co-development, testing, proof of concept – PPA)

To go further in the collaboration by doing co-development, testing for proof of concept or call for projects.
In addition to the previous services, we can also participate in the development of microdevices from A to Z in the context of a research project. This last service may require a greater involvement of the platform members to meet the deadlines and carry out this type of interdisciplinary collaborative project.

Contacts

Location : Faculty of Medicine, 8 avenue Rockefeller, Lyon 8, Floor 4, corridor AD – Access map
Email addresses : charlotte.riviere @univ-lyon1.fr / alpha.diallo @univ-lyon1.fr
Phone : +33 472 432 796

Charlotte Rivière, senior lecturer ILM/CRCL
Scientific Manager
As a lecturer in the ILM biophysics team since 2006, I am interested in understanding the role of the microenvironment, including mechanical properties, in tumor progression. I am involved in collaborative projects combining cell biology, biophysics, microfabrication, microscopy and image analysis.

Alpha Diallo, Research Engineer, ILM/CRCL
Operational Manager / LinkedIn
After a PhD at the FEMTO-ST institute in the field of miniaturization, and an IR position in charge of the development of biomedical microfluidic chips in the framework of the European project MiMéDi against cancer, I put at your service all my skills in microfabrication, microfluidics and modelling to concretize your research projects.

Platform achievements :

– Agarose microwells that can be integrated into the wells of conventional 24-well plates.

In this project, the objective was to make microwell molds for spheroids.

Our team has in stock, such molds with microwells of sizes 100, 200, 300 and 500 µm whose final chip size is compatible with conventional multiwell plates.

The chip contains hundreds of microwells.

This type of chip can be used to grow cells, but also to quantify nanotherapeutic penetration as a new 3D in vitro platform.

– Adaptateur C pour caméra et adaptateur d’échantillons pour microscope:

In this project, the objective was to make a C adapter for a camera and for samples for an optical microscope. This support had to allow to hold both large and small samples. This support plate is also realized by 3D printing.

– Mechanical system to align two chips for biological tests:

In this project, the objective was to realize a mechanical system allowing to align with a micrometric precision two parts of an agarose chip. A first part containing hundreds of micro-wells and a second part that allows to close the micro-wells.