abstract |
The present invention is directed to a screening platform employing a miniaturized three-dimensional cell chip for high-throughput toxicology screening of test and lead compounds, prodrugs, drugs and P-450 generated drug metabolites. To this end, the three-dimensional cell chip, employs human cells encapsulated in a matrix (e.g., collagen or alginate gels) in volumes as small as 10 nL arrayed on a functionalized substrates (e.g., glass microscope slides) for spatially addressable screening against multiple test compounds. With the present platform, over 3,000 cell-matrix islands may be spotted providing for simultaneous screening against multiple compounds at multiple doses and in high replicate. |