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20.03.2025CCiTUB manufactures a precision cutting device for immunotherapy research
The CCiTUB has collaborated, through its Mechanics Laboratory, with IBEC and Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital del Mar researchers in the study “Micro Immune Response On-chip (MIRO) models the tumour-stroma interface for immunotherapy testing”, published in the journal "Nature Communications".
MIRO is an open fluid device that allows the self-organization of cancer cell spheroids, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and extracellular matrix deposition (ECM). The co-culture at MIRO input facilitates the establishment of boundaries between cancer cells and CAF, while the channels that connect input and output mimic the migration path of immune cells through CAF and ECM, until they reach the tumour/strome interface.
The device is based on an empty cylinder of PDMS (polydimethylsyloxane) micromanufactured by soft lithography, with an interior radius of 3 mm and exterior of 5 mm. It consists of a matrix of 30 radial channels (200μm wide, 50 μm high) that connect the inner and outer compartments. Finally, the device was sealed on a plate with a glass background by means of a plasma treatment.
Manufacture of the punch for cutting PDMS
The CCiTUB have designed and manufactured a double punch to cut the PDMS in cylindrical form, the MIRO base. This mechanism consists of four components:
- Internal body, generated from a Bahco punch 6 mm in diameter.
- External tip, a 10mm diameter Bahco punch modified to ensure a straight cut.
- External aluminium body with screwed cap..
- Spring for the return mechanism.
The assembly of these elements forms a punch with a pen-like design. To make the cut, pressure is generated on the PDMS, trapping the sample between the two punches. To extract it, it is necessary to press the upper part of the device, causing the 6 mm punch to exit through the central part of the 10 mm punch. This allows the sample to be easily cut back. The spring guarantees the automatic return of the punch to its initial position after extraction.