CADworks3D

🎙️Turning Biology into a Microfluidic Prototype

Dr. Majid Warkiani from the University of Technology Sydney discusses the early stages of developing a microfluidic device to study s***m chemotaxis.

By translating biological structures into CAD models and prototypes, the team created a platform to investigate how s***m respond to microenvironmental cues.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8PNz2Q_D9E

This week, our team 3D-printed a master mold for 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 and tested it in-house.

Cell culture multi-well plates are essential tools in biomedical research. They allow researchers to grow and study cells in a controlled environment and are widely used in drug testing, cancer research, toxicity studies, and other cell-based experiments. By enabling multiple tests in a single plate, they improve efficiency, reduce costs, and speed up experimental workflows.

At CADworks3D, we 3D-printed the master mold, cast PDMS on it, and plasma-bonded it to glass before running experiments directly in our office. This demonstrates how quickly a microfluidic device can be prototyped at the benchside in 1 day.

Interested in this fast and efficient 3D printing solution for your research? Let’s talk👋🏻. https://cadworks3d.com/start-a-one-on-one-conversation/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=2026_application&utm_content=post_cell_culture_multiwell_plates_demo_video

Learn more about the advanced 3D printer ProFluidics 285D: https://cadworks3d.com/3dprinters/profluidics-285d/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=2026_application&utm_content=post_cell_culture_multiwell_plates_demo_video

| Apparatus

3D Material : Master Mold for PDMS - Rapid HD Resin
3D Printer : ProFluidics 285D

| Cell Culture Multi-well Plates

Gradient Generator XY: 160μm
Gradient Generator Z: 250μm

Well X : 4mm
Well Y : 9mm
Well Z : 900μm


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🎙️There’s No Single Path in Drug Discovery

Drew Wollman, Anne Tong, and John Shanley from AbbVie's SPaRCS group discuss how innovation happens in drug discovery.

Complex problems rarely have a single solution. By exploring multiple approaches in parallel, their team helps scientists find faster and more effective ways to move research forward.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnln9LecPpk

🎙️Optimizing Mycelium Growth in Microfluidics

Alexandre LeBlond, a master's student in chemical engineering at McGill University, discusses one of the challenges of growing mycelium in microfluidic devices.

Finding the right process required extensive trial and error. By introducing liquid agarose into the chip after plasma bonding, the team was able to support mycelium growth throughout the microfluidic channels.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQDb3TsTA5s

🎙️Where 3D Printing Goes Beyond Traditional Microfabrication

Dario Bogojevic, Doctoral Researcher Niloofar Ghasenzaie, and Graduate Researcher Stephanie McGinnity discuss how 3D printing is changing microfluidic design.

Certain structures are difficult or impossible to fabricate using traditional photolithography or soft lithography techniques, but 3D printing allows researchers to explore new designs and experimental directions.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJR4Ms0XMLE

🎙️Why Fast Iteration Matters in Microfluidics

Chen Li from McGill University’s Cellular Microenvironment Design Lab discusses how high-resolution 3D printing helped improve PDMS device fabrication.

Instead of relying on lengthy fabrication cycles, researchers can quickly produce new molds, test design changes, and iterate on device features more efficiently.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btx_DjJ1yT4

🎙️3D Printing Starts with Design Decisions

Dr. Majid Warkiani from the University of Technology Sydney discusses the realities of developing microfluidic devices with 3D printing.

While 3D printing is often the first choice for rapid prototyping, researchers still need to think through fabrication strategy, print orientation, visualization requirements, and whether direct printing or PDMS molding is the better approach for the application.

🎧 Watch full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8PNz2Q_D9E