| abstract |
A bioreactor (1100) for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. (See Figure 2A1) In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor (1100) includes a first substrate (1124) having a first surface (1124a), an opposite second surface (1124b) and edges. The bioreactor (1100) further includes a second substrate (1121) having a first surface (1121a) and an opposite second surface (1121b), defining a cavity (1121c) with a bottom surface (1121d), where the bottom surface (1121d) is located therebetween the first surface (1121a) and the second surface (1121b). The first surface (1121a) of the first substrate (1124) is received by the second surface (1121b ) of the second substrate (1121) to cover the cavity (1121c) so as to form a channel (1101) for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel (1101) is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel (1101). The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel (1101). |