Democratization and accessibility of complex engineering tools

Our mission is to develop advanced engineering tools that are both affordable and accessible to non-engineering laboratories. In collaboration with experts in developmental biology, the microbiome, infectious diseases, and clinical research, we have created a suite of innovative technologies designed to enhance the study of human physiology and disease. Use the links below to request more information or explore potential collaborations.

Microfluidic Models

Zonal patterning of extracellular matrix and stromal cell populations along a perfusable cellular microchannel, B Chernokal*, BJ Ferrick*, JP Gleghorn, Lab on a Chip, 2024, 24, 5238 - 5250. *indicates equal contribution

We have developed and validated a simple strategy to create an in vitro microphysiological system with regionally patterned stromal cell populations and hydrogel properties along the length of a perfused continuous tubular epithelium. This highly customizable system has wide utility for modeling epithelial and endothelial tissue interactions with heterogeneous hydrogel compositions and/or stromal cell populations to better dissect the specific microenvironmental factors that govern developmental tissue patterning.

Click here for more information or to inquire about a collaboration

Zonal Patterning Device

In-house required equipment:

  • Incubator

  • Biosafety cabinet

  • Peristaltic pump with flow rate control down to at least 0.01 mL/min

Democratizing Organ-on-Chip Technologies with a Modular, Reusable, and Perfusion-Ready Microphysiological System, DJ Minahan*, KM Nelson*, F Ribeiro, BJ Ferrick, A Zurzolo, K Byers, and JP Gleghorn, Advanced Healthcare Materials, e02202, *indicates equal contribution

We have developed and validated a simple strategy to create a two layer in vitro microphysiological system within a one-time-use cell culture insert and a reusable cassette to enable fluid flow. The system enables easier cell culture than PDMS based devices and can be irreversibly sealed to enable access to the cells for assays. This highly customizable system has wide utility for modeling transport across a cell barrier and cell-cell interactions to better study physiological and pathogenic processes.

Click here for more information or to inquire about a collaboration

Modular Microphysiological Device

In-house required equipment:

  • Incubator (hypoxic preferred)

  • Biosafety cabinet

  • Multichannel peristaltic pump with flow rate control down to at least 0.01 mL/min

PMN (pink) migrating towards Ng (yellow) through an endocervical A2EN (cyan) cell layer in the device.

Protocols

Large Format PAA gels

Tissue sectioning and staining for 3D reconstruction