Abstract:
A cell culture assay device can include: a substrate having a plurality of discrete microfluidic networks and a plurality of wells over the discrete microfluidic networks, each discrete microfluidic network having one or more wells fluidly coupled thereto, the wells extending upward from the discrete microfluidic networks; and a manifold body coupled with the substrate and having at least one fluid conduit pair for each microfluidic network and/or each well, each fluid conduit pair including a fluid inlet conduit and a fluid outlet conduit fluidly coupled to a corresponding microfluidic network and/or well. The substrate can be formed from a substrate base having the microfluidic networks coupled to a well plate having the wells associated with the microfluidic networks.
Abstract:
A cell culture device can include: an internal chamber configured for an internal cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber; at least one fluid channel bordering the internal chamber that is configured for a channel cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the fluid channel; and a wall separating the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel having gaps that fluidly couple the internal chamber with the at least one fluid channel, wherein the perfusion modulating device causes reduced fluid flow. The internal chamber can include a first cell type and the at least one fluid channel includes a second cell type. The first cell type has an ischemic zone in the middle, a non-ischemic zone adjacent with the at least one fluid channel, and a border zone between the ischemic zone and non-ischemic zone. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from physiological features. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from idealized features.
Abstract:
A cell culture device can include: at least 3 distinct chambers between the top wall and bottom wall. The perimeter walls can include: an internal chamber defined by at least one porous internal wall; one or more boundary layer chambers having at least an inner boundary layer chamber defined by the at least one porous internal wall and at least one porous inner boundary layer wall, the at least one porous internal wall having a plurality of pores fluidically coupling the central internal chamber to the one or more boundary layer chamber; and an outer chamber.
Abstract:
A method of assaying wound healing can include: growing cells on the matrix in the first flow channel; introducing an agent that removes the matrix from the junction; introducing a matrix material into the second flow channel so as to form the second matrix in the second flow channel and junction; and detecting cellular migration into the junction onto the second matrix. The agent that removes the matrix can include a biomolecule or chemical agent. The method can include removing cells in the matrix in the junction before introducing the matrix material into the second flow channel. A bioactive agent can be introduced into the junction to determine if it modulates cellular migration and/or clot formation into the intersection openings of tissue and vascular channels.
Abstract:
Methods of assaying the leukocyte adhesion cascade (LAC) and monitoring leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration can be implemented with an apparatus that includes an idealized microvascular network (IMN) of one or more interconnected idealized flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space (e.g., idealized tissue space). The methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with means for quantifying modulation of the leukocyte adhesion cascade. Methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with the device and one or more active agents to monitor leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration in the presence of absence of the active agent. Migration can be through the idealized flow channels, through the porous wall, and/or into the tissue space.
Abstract:
A method of inducing ischemia includes: providing a cell culture device having a first cell culture in an internal chamber and a second cell culture in at least one fluid channel and a perfusion modulating system that causes changes in oxygen flow in the internal chamber and/or at least one fluid channel; flowing liquid media having oxygen through the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel of the cell culture device; modulating oxygen perfusion in the internal chamber with the perfusion modulating system by varying and selectively blocking the flow rate of at least one of the liquid media or oxygen through the internal chamber to induce varying levels of ischemia; and assaying for ischemia in the first cell culture.
Abstract:
A method of assaying metastasis can include: providing a device of one of the embodiments; introducing the at least one cancer cell into the at least one internal chamber or at least one fluid channel; and studying metastasis of the at least one cancer cell. Optionally: introducing cancer cells into a first internal chamber; detecting escape of the cancer cell from the first internal chamber into the fluid channel; detecting migration of the cancer cell through the fluid channel; detecting adhesion of the cancer cell to a coating on the fluid channel; detecting invasion of the cancer cell into a second internal chamber from the fluid channel; or visualizing metastasis of the cancer cell with a visualization device.
Abstract:
An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE.
Abstract:
A cell culture device can include: an internal chamber configured for an internal cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber; at least one fluid channel bordering the internal chamber that is configured for a channel cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the fluid channel; and a wall separating the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel having gaps that fluidly couple the internal chamber with the at least one fluid channel, wherein the perfusion modulating device causes reduced fluid flow. The internal chamber can include a first cell type and the at least one fluid channel includes a second cell type. The first cell type has an ischemic zone in the middle, a non-ischemic zone adjacent with the at least one fluid channel, and a border zone between the ischemic zone and non-ischemic zone. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from physiological features. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from idealized features.
Abstract:
An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE.