Pilot Project for the Fabrication of 3D Microstructures to Enable High-Throughput Genetic Screening

Pilot Project for the Fabrication of 3D Microstructures to Enable High-Throughput Genetic Screening

The Figure shows gut organoids in commercially available microcavities, courtesy of Thomas Dennison, University of Cambridge.

Lead applicant: Anke Husmann, The University of Cambridge

Project overview

This pilot project aims to develop custom 3D polymer-based microstructures for high-throughput genetic screening, addressing the limitations of conventional 2D cultures and current commercial microcavity arrays. We will use advanced fabrication techniques such as 3D printing with micron-scale resolution and laser micromachining, combined with computational fluid dynamics simulations, to design and optimise environments that support physiologically relevant cell models. Prototypes will undergo structural characterisation and biological validation. Successful designs could pave the way for industry collaborations and commercialisation, enabling more robust and precise genetic screening in complex cellular systems.