Microfluidics, the science of engineering fluid
streams at the micrometer scale, offers unique tools for
creating and controlling gradients of soluble compounds.
Gradient generation can be used to recreate complex
physiological microenvironments, but is also useful for
screening purposes. For example, in a single experiment,
adherent cells can be exposed to a range of concentrations
of the compound of interest, enabling high-content analy-
sis of cell behaviour and enhancing throughput. In this
study, we present the development of a microfluidic
screening platform where, by means of diffusion, gra-
dients of soluble compounds can be generated and
sustained. This platform enables the culture of adherent
cells under shear stress-free conditions, and their exposure
to a soluble compound in a concentration gradient-wise

• Development of a shear stress-free microfluidic gradient generator capable of