Tissue chips to help explore relationship between the lungs and brain

News

‘Tissue chips’ incorporating human lung and brain tissue models are being developed for a study to understand and treat neurological symptoms such as brain fog associated with respiratory diseases.

Common viruses including influenza can produce chronic symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and enduring pain
Common viruses including influenza can produce chronic symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and enduring pain - J. Adam Fenster / University of Rochester

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a three-year contract to researchers at the University of Rochester to develop technology to model respiratory disease effects on the brain and test therapeutic drugs to prevent and treat symptoms.

The project will use so called tissue chips, which are microphysiological systems (MPS) with ultrathin membranes supporting 3D networks of human cells to simulate infection and treatment in vitro.

In a statement, principal investigator Benjamin Miller, a Dean’s Professor of Dermatology at Rochester, said: “This is another step toward making disease modelling and drug discovery focused from the very beginning on more complex, human-relevant systems. These chips can help make the whole drug discovery process faster.”

The project builds on work at Rochester’s Translational Center for Barrier Microphysiological Systems (TraCe-bMPS) to build FDA-qualified drug development tools for studying the body’s barrier functions in combating disease.

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.  

Benefits of registering

  • In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends

  • Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year

  • Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

respiratory disease