Fig. 1

Overview of the method for modeling intestinal tubules in the OrganoPlate platform. a Photograph of the bottom of an OrganoPlate showing 40 microfluidic channel networks with inlay showing the top view of the 384-well plate format device; b Zoom-in on a single microfluidic channel network comprising three channels that join in the center. c, e, g, i Horizontal projection and d, f, h, j vertical cross section of center region for subsequent steps in establishing the gut model. c, d An extracellular matrix gel (light gray) is patterned by two phaseguides (dark gray), e, f culture medium is introduced in the two lanes adjacent to the ECM gel, one of which comprises cells. g, h Cells are allowed to settle against the ECM gel surface by placing the plate on its side. i, j Upon application of flow, cells form a confluent layer lining the channel and gel surfaces, resulting in a tubular shape. k 3D artist impression of the center of a chip comprising a tubule, an extra cellular matrix gel and a perfusion lane; two phaseguides (white bars) are present that define the three distinct lanes in the central channel. The tubule has a lumen at its apical side that is perfused. l–p Phase-contrast images of the formation of the tubular structure at day 0, 1, 4, 7, and 11, respectively. Scale bars are 100 µm