Development and validation of a controlled heating apparatus for long-term MRI of 3D microfluidic tumor models.

Conventional testing of novel contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involves cell and animal studies. However, 2D cultures lack dynamic flow and MRI is limited by regulatory approval of long-term anesthesia use. Microfluidic tumor models (MTMs) offer a cost-effective, reproducible, and high throughput platform for bridging cell and animal models.