The hanging-drop network (HDN) is a technology platform based on a completely open microfluidic network at the bottom of an inverted, surface-patterned substrate. The platform is predominantly used for the formation, culturing, and interaction of self-assembled spherical microtissues (spheroids) under precisely controlled flow conditions. Here, we describe design, fabrication, and operation of microfluidic hanging-drop networks.
Keywords: 3D tissue; Body-on-a-chip; Long-term culturing; Microfluidics; Microtissue; Organ-on-a-chip; Perfusion; Scaffold-free; Spheroid; Tissue engineering.