Microfluidic Droplet Plate Preserving Single Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Derived Cardiomyocytes Morphology and Function

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be a significant contributor to premature mortality and the financial burden of healthcare. Human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) are increasingly utilized to investigate patient‐specific genetic factors and to explore potential therapeutic options. However, contemporary technologies have yet to meet the demand for high‐throughput, real‐time assessment of physiological activity in single hiPSC‐CMs within controlled microenvironments. Here, we present a microfluidic–optogenetic hybrid platform that facilitates the systematic classification of hiPSC‐CMs according to their functional phenotypes. The optimal microfluidic droplet‐plates have been demonstrated to support the viability, morphology, and physiological function of single hiPSC‐CMs. The integration of optogenetic stimulation and optical readout facilitates non‐invasive, time‐resolved monitoring of cellular electrophysiology within each cell‐containing droplet. Our platform uniquely enables single hiPSC‐CM functional recovery and real‐time electrophysiological profiling within a microfluidic droplet‐based microenvironment. This platform offers a scalable and highly adaptable solution for phenotypic screening, disease modeling, and early‐phase drug evaluation in cardiac research.