Diehl, Michael2019-05-162019-05-162017-082017-08-07August 201Vu, Timothy Q. "A 3D microfluidic tumor model to study immune cell infiltration into solid tumors." (2017) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105504">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105504</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105504The tumor microenvironment consists of other cells besides cancer cells, including immune cells like T-cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. The roles of these infiltrated cells, however, are diverse and can be both pro- or anti-tumorigenic. The effects of infiltrated natural killer cells are poorly characterized and highly misunderstood. To better study both the mechanics and effects of infiltrating NK cells, advances to 3D in vitro cancer models are necessary. To this end, I have developed a novel microfluidic device for culturing 3D tumor tissue, which can recapitulate the interstitial flow and gradient microenvironment. I utilize this device to create novel methods in quantifying NK cell infiltration and demonstrate the utility of this device for both infiltration and post-infiltration analysis.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.MicrofluidicsCancer microenvironment3D culturenatural killer cellsinterstitial flowThesis2019-05-16