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Microfluidic-Driven Biofabrication and the Engineering of Cancer-Like Microenvironments

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Microfluidics and Biosensors in Cancer Research

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1379))

Abstract

Despite considerable advances in cancer research and oncological treatments, the burden of the disease is still extremely high. While past research has been cancer cell centered, it is now clear that to understand tumors, the models that serve as a framework for research and therapeutic testing need to improve and integrate cancer microenvironment characteristics such as mechanics, architecture, and cell heterogeneity. Microfluidics is a powerful tool for biofabrication of cancer-relevant architectures given its capacity to manipulate cells and materials at very small dimensions and integrate varied living tissue characteristics. This chapter outlines the current microfluidic toolbox for fabricating living constructs, starting by explaining the varied configurations of 3D soft constructs microfluidics enables when used to process hydrogels. Then, we analyze the possibilities to control material flows and create space varying characteristics such as gradients or advanced 3D micro-architectures. Envisioning the trend to approach the complexity of tumor microenvironments also at higher dimensions, we discuss microfluidic-enabled 3D bioprinting and recent advances in that arena. Finally, we summarize the future possibilities for microfluidic biofabrication to tackle important challenges in cancer 3D modelling, including tools for the fast quantification of biological events toward data-driven and precision medicine approaches.

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Acknowledgments

CFG acknowledges support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), grants no. PD/BD/135253/2017 and COVID/BD/152016/2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 3B’s Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal

    Carlos F. Guimarães, Luca Gasperini & Rui L. Reis

  2. ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    Carlos F. Guimarães, Luca Gasperini & Rui L. Reis

Authors
  1. Carlos F. Guimarães
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  2. Luca Gasperini
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  3. Rui L. Reis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carlos F. Guimarães .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics at the University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    David Caballero

  2. 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics at the University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    Subhas C. Kundu

  3. 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics at the University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    Rui L. Reis

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Guimarães, C.F., Gasperini, L., Reis, R.L. (2022). Microfluidic-Driven Biofabrication and the Engineering of Cancer-Like Microenvironments. In: Caballero, D., Kundu, S.C., Reis, R.L. (eds) Microfluidics and Biosensors in Cancer Research. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1379. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_8

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