Microwell fabrication methods and applications for cellular studies

Abstract

Traditional cell culture methods allow bulk biomolecular assays; however, individual cell responses are blended, lost, and ignored. To overcome such limitations of the traditional cell culture methods and to provide more in vivo-like microenvironments, a microwell array system has been used in the last few decades as a very attractive tool for analyzing individual cells. The basic cell trapping mechanism of a microwell system is simple; cells drop into the microwell by gravity. However, there are demands for advanced microwell systems that are capable of performing more active functions. Innovations in substrate materials and cell trapping/handling mechanisms used for microwell systems are meeting such needs. This paper presents an overview of various microwell fabrication techniques, cell trapping mechanisms, and biological applications. Future innovations in microwell systems, which will be useful for cell biology, tissue engineering, and biomedical engineering, are also explored.