15-012 - Custom multiwell plate design for hydrogels

Researchers

Silviya Zustiak and Naveed Ahmed.

Summary

This invention relates to methods of preparing a custom multiwell plate that allow for a one-step hydrogel-based stiffness assay assembly that reduces preparation time and labor intensity by several fold. Gel stiffness is controlled by UV intensity and exposure time to achieve a wide stiffness range from a single gel precursor solution. The geometry of the gels is defined by a custom photomask and gel thickness is controlled by spacers. The multiwell plate upper structure is designed similarly to a regular multiwell plate such that a gel fits in each well and cells and media are added on top. The upper structure design allows for adequate gas exchange and minimum evaporation. Comparison between cell behaviors seeded in the custom and a standard multiwell plate demonstrated the suitability of the design as a 3-dimensional cell culture platform for drug screening.

Intellectual Property Status

• U.S. patent pending