Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota
Development of an in vitro Bioreactor to Simulate Tumor Metastasis
Karl
Van Horsen
Doctoral Student
North Dakota State University
Co authors: Mithul Sathish, Designer and 3D Printer, Sheyenne High School, West Fargo, ND , Zachary Drechsel, 3D Printer & Engineer Consult, Library, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, Nicholas Sieler, Milling Technician, Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Tyler Hanks, Milling Specialist, Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Buddhadev Layek, Co-PI, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, Sanku Mallik, Co-PI, Department of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Susan Immanuel, Collaborator, Department of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
Session
Concurrent Presentation Session B, Group 1
Prairie Rose Room
Tumor metastasis is challenging to replicate in vitro. This study aims to replicate solid tumor metastasis in a dynamic flow environment using an in-house designed milled bioreactor made of an aluminum alloy commonly used in medical devices. The primary chamber of the bioreactor holds a type 1 collagen plug seeded with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. A small-diameter PVC tubing connects the milled bioreactor with a peristaltic pump with adjustable flow. The peristaltic pump circulates cell culture media at a physiological flow rate from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is identical to the primary but containing an unseeded collagen plug, which allows for analysis of cell migration from the seeded primary chamber (the metastatic site). An integrated media reservoir is positioned below the secondary chamber. The bioreactor operates continuously in a closed-loop system, with media passing through a capsule filter before returning to the pump. The design of the chamber and the optimal flow rate were determined using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The primary goal of this study is to develop a cost-effective method for simulating tumor metastasis using milled materials for foundational biochemical studies and drug testing.