Development of Retina Cell-laden Alginate Microbeads for Study of Glaucoma

Raised intraocular pressure is the main cause of primary open angle glaucoma. Exerting controlled force on in vitro grown retinal cells suggests a feasible and efficient approach for quantitatively study of the relationship between the intraocular pressure and glaucoma. Biological experiments have demonstrated that retina cells can proliferate in hydrogel microbeads. In this paper, alginate hydrogel microbeads are fabricated for in vitro cultivation of retinal cells. A simple flow-focusing microfluidic device made with syringe needles and silicone tube was designed to fabricate alginate microbeads. These microbeads are fabricated by forming water in oil droplet in silicone tube, then these alginate droplets are crosslinked by calcium solution. By tuning the flow rate of oil and alginate solution, the size of hydrogel microbeads can be controlled. The oil coated on the alginate hydrogel beads are removed by repeated washing in HEPES buffer solution (pH 7.1). Cells are successfully encapsulated inside the hydrogel microbeads and grows well within couples days of cultivation.