Microfluidics‐Molded Through‐Hole Membranes for 3D Culture Array‐Based Tumor Manipulation and Analysis

Abstract The development and application of micro‐platforms with the capability for microscale and throughput control of biomimetic three‐dimensional (3D) tumor culture plays a critical role in cancer therapeutics and pharmaceutics. In this study, a very simple microfluidics‐assisted fabrication methodology of through‐hole membranes and the membrane‐integrated microwell array platform for facile and throughput 3D tumor production and antitumor investigation is established. The versatility involving geometric diversity and uniformity of microfluidic membrane fabrication, as well as their repeatability and stability, are totally demonstrated based on the well‐improved fabricating procedure. Sequential manipulations including precise cell localization, array‐like cultivation, and temporal monitoring/analysis of 3D tumors, are smoothly accomplished in the platform. It is verified that the microwell array chip allows for robust, throughput, and reproducible production of 3D tumors with both biomimetic functional gradient phenotypes and highly uniform size. Moreover, temporal and throughput investigation of tumor responses to culture and antitumor chemotherapies are achieved in the chip. These achievements offer a facile methodological approach for the development of through‐hole membranes with high fidelity and for the exploration of tissue‐mimicking tumor research and therapy. This work also provides an insight into the construction of easy to fabricate/operate, reliable, and market‐oriented micro‐platforms for cancer research and drug discovery.