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J.M. Rosser, I. Olvos Calvo, M. Schlager, M. Purtscher, F. Jenner, P. Ertl:
"Biologically Inspired Advances in 3D Microfluidic Hydrogel Cell Culture Systems";
HSOA Journal of Cell Biology and Cell Metabolism, 2 (2015), 1.

The application of hydrogels as a matrix for 3-dimensional cell
cultures has become an indispensable tool in tissue engineering,
biotechnology and biomedical research due to the improved
functionality and viability of the in vitro biological system. The
combination of 3-dimensional hydrogel cell cultures with microchip
technology further allows (i) spatial and temporal control of
cell growth, (ii) application of defined mechanical (e.g., shear,
strain, stretch) and chemical (e.g., gradients) stimuli, as well as
(iii) monitoring of dynamic cellular responses using integrated
sensing strategies. The main advantage of hydrogels for
microfluidic cell cultures, however, is their mimicry of extracellular
matrix structures including adequate porosity for cellular
organization, biocompatibility, and representative stiffness, all key
parameters that promote native-like tissue function. This review
focuses primarily on recent advances in biologically inspired
microfluidic systems that are based on 3-dimensional hydrogel cell
cultures and discusses advantages and current challenges, various
applications of microfluidic hydrogel cell cultures and future
perspectives.