Fluidic Shear Stress Loading Method Enables Mechanobiological Stimulation in An On-Chip Pump Integrated Microphysiological System

Microphysiological systems (MPS), such as organ-on-a-chip and body-on-a-chip platforms, have emerged as promising alternatives to animal testing for drug development and physiological research. The BioStellar™ Plate, an on-chip pump integrated microphysiological system, offers an open-access, multiorgan culture platform with built-in kinetic pump facilitating perfusion and circulation among six independent MO-MPS units. While effective in promoting convective flow, the current configuration cannot apply fluidic shear stress, an essential mechanical stimulus affecting cell behaviour and function, particularly in vascular, intestinal, and epithelial models. We developed two fluidic shear stress attachments for the BioStellar™ Plate to address this limitation. Flow dynamics were simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics to estimate shear stress levels within the system. The attachments were fabricated and validated through fluorescent bead tracking and biological assays. The flat-bottom Fluidic Shear Stress Attachment - Cell Desk (FSSA-D) is compatible with cell desk-based cultures. The Fluidic Shear Stress Attachment - Cell Culture Insert (FSSA-I) supports the culture of epithelial monolayers, enabling shear stress application across the basal membrane. Our results, including fluorescence imaging and TEER measurements, confirmed that both devices successfully enhanced barrier function under flow conditions. The reproducibility and consistent biological trends demonstrate the practicality of these attachments for mechanobiology research within MPS platforms.