A novel, easy-to-use cell exposure system (ALICE) for controlled pharmaco-toxicological studies with liquids at the air-liquid interface

Introduction: Typically, pharmacological and toxicological in vitro cell studies are performed under submerged cell conditions, i.e. the substance of interest is mixed directly into the cell culture medium. However for cell systems located at the air-liquid interface (e.g. lung epithelium, skin), controlled cell exposures at the air-liquid interface are more realistic. Methods: Here we present a technically simple, yet dosimetrically accurate air-liquid interface cell exposure system (ALICE) for controlled thin-film deposition of liquids or colloidal nanoparticle onto cells. The ALICE consists of a vibrating mem…