Microfluidic co-culture systems have emerged as powerful platforms for simulating complex biological interactions in vitro, offering a dynamic and physiologically relevant alternative to static models. At Creative Biolabs, we specialize in the design and development of custom microfluidic co-culture systems tailored for probiotic mechanism-of-action (MOA) studies and microbiome research. By integrating living human cells and microbial species within controlled microenvironments, we enable precise investigations of interspecies communication, host responses, and metabolite dynamics.
Precision Modeling with Microfluidics: Why It Matters
Assessing the immunological and cytotoxic profiles of probiotic strains is indispensable for both early-stage discovery and downstream development of microbial therapeutics and live biotherapeutic products. Probiotic strains may trigger unintended host responses such as epithelial damage, immune hyperactivation, or barrier dysfunction, especially when delivered in high doses or in susceptible individuals.
Key Technical Advantages of Microfluidics
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Spatial Control: Independent yet interacting compartments for host and microbial cells.
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Dynamic Flow: Real-time perfusion enables shear stress and metabolite exchange.
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Miniaturization: Reduces reagent consumption and enables high-throughput assays.
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Scalability: Designs adaptable to multi-organ configurations for advanced modeling.
Rising Market Demand of Microfluidics
With the surge in microbiome-based drug development, functional validation platforms that closely mimic in vivo environments are in high demand. Regulatory agencies are increasingly endorsing microphysiological systems for risk reduction in preclinical pipelines. Creative Biolabs' microfluidic co-culture system is ideal for clients seeking translational insights while reducing reliance on animal models.
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Microfluidic Co-Culture Development Capabilities
Creative Biolabs provides a full suite of microfluidic co-culture system development services customized to your biological question and microbial species of interest. Our capabilities span microfabrication, tissue engineering, microbial containment, and multi-modal readout integration.
Custom Microfluidic Chip Design
We engineer single-channel, dual-channel, and multi-compartment chips using PDMS or thermoplastics, with optional inclusion of:
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Porous membranes (to simulate barriers)
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Flow regulators and bubble traps
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Integrated electrodes for TEER or impedance monitoring
Tailored Cell-Microbe Interfaces
Our systems support diverse cell types such as:
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Intestinal epithelial cells (e.g., Caco-2, HT-29)
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Hepatocytes and Kupffer cells
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Endothelial or mucus-producing cells
Compatible microbial cultures include anaerobic or facultative strains, with oxygen gradients and containment strategies in place to preserve microbial viability without compromising host cell function.
Integrated Readout Platforms
To extract high-value data from every experiment, we incorporate analytical tools such as:
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Fluorescence and confocal imaging ports
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Microelectrode arrays for electrophysiology
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ELISA or LC-MS/MS sampling ports for secretome and metabolome profiling
Controlled Microenvironments
By leveraging precision flow control (e.g., syringe pumps, gravity-driven flow), we replicate physiological shear stress, nutrient gradients, and chemical microenvironments that are essential for faithful biological modeling.
Workflow of Our Microfluidic Co-Culture Development
Below is an overview of our standard development process, which we tailor based on project needs:
Comprehensive Deliverables
When partnering with Creative Biolabs, clients receive an all-inclusive solution with tangible outputs:
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Fully functional microfluidic chips (customizable or standard formats)
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Protocols for host-microbe co-culture setup and maintenance
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Characterization reports including cell viability, barrier integrity, and microbial growth
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High-resolution images or videos of co-culture dynamics
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Bioanalytical datasets (e.g., cytokines, SCFA profiles, microbial metabolite flux)
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Final data summary and experimental interpretation
Our team also offers optional hands-on training and remote consultation to ensure seamless downstream use.
Applications for Microfluidic Co-Culture Systems
Functional Characterization of Probiotics
Evaluate the modulatory effects of candidate strains on epithelial barrier integrity, mucus secretion, inflammatory responses, and metabolic output in a compartmentalized environment that mimics the human gut.
Study the bidirectional communication between host cells and commensal/pathogenic bacteria, with real-time access to secretome dynamics and immune signaling pathways.
Disease-Relevant Modeling
Simulate inflammatory or dysbiotic conditions by introducing cytokine gradients or pathogenic strains into the microbial compartment. Analyze host response modulation by probiotic candidates in real-time.
Mechanism-of-Action Studies
Identify and quantify mechanisms such as SCFA production, NF-κB inhibition, tight junction enhancement, or oxidative stress modulation under controlled co-culture conditions.
Drug or Nutraceutical Screening
Test prebiotic or synbiotic formulations within the microfluidic setup, enabling rapid feedback on host-microbe interaction changes at molecular, cellular, and metabolic levels.
Explore Related Microbiome Assessment Services
Creative Biolabs offers a wide range of supporting services that synergize with microfluidic co-culture development:
Creative Biolabs brings together expertise in microengineering, microbiology, cell biology, and analytical sciences to deliver fully customized microfluidic co-culture systems for research use. Our multidisciplinary team is ready to assist you in designing physiologically relevant platforms for your next microbiome study or probiotic development project.
Contact us today to discuss your project or request a quote for tailored microfluidic co-culture solutions.
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FAQs
What types of cells and microbes can be used in the microfluidic co-culture system?
Creative Biolabs' systems support diverse cell types including intestinal, hepatic, and immune cells, as well as anaerobic or facultative microbial strains, allowing simulation of host-microbiota interactions in physiologically relevant microenvironments.
How is microbial viability maintained under co-culture conditions?
Our platforms incorporate oxygen control strategies and compartmentalized flow to create stable microenvironments that preserve microbial viability without compromising host cell integrity or barrier function.
How customizable is the chip design for different research goals?
Our microfluidic platforms are fully customizable, with options for channel layout, flow control, material composition, and detection ports to match your exact biological model and research endpoint.
Other Resources
References
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Bhatia, Sangeeta N., and Donald E. Ingber. "Microfluidic organs-on-chips." Nature biotechnology 32.8 (2014): 760-772. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2989
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Jalili-Firoozinezhad, Sasan, et al. "A complex human gut microbiome cultured in an anaerobic intestine-on-a-chip." Nature biomedical engineering 3.7 (2019): 520-531. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-019-0397-0
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Shah, Pranjul, et al. "A microfluidics-based in vitro model of the gastrointestinal human–microbe interface." Nature communications 7.1 (2016): 11535. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11535
