Abstract: A method for image-based data collection and analysis of a tissue sample comprising a tumor or permeable microchannels to simulate blood vessels. The method may comprise providing a microfluidic platform to hold the tissue sample or microchannels. The method may further comprise providing an imaging system capable of processing fluorescent images and directing a fluorescent dye through the microfluidic platform to illuminate the tumor or microchannels. The method may further comprise the imaging system capturing a plurality of fluorescent images of the tissue sample over a period of time. The method may further comprise a computing device processing the plurality of fluorescent images and determining a plurality of parameters based on the images.

Abstract: A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

Abstract: A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

Abstract: A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inducing and/or promoting cardiomyocyte maturation comprising: providing an immature cardiomyocyte; providing a three dimensional (3D) cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold; and inducing and/or promoting cardiomyocyte cell maturation by seeding the immature cardiomyocyte in the 3D cardiac ECM scaffold and harvesting once the cardiomyocyte has reached maturity. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating a disease in a mammal comprising transplanting a mature cardiomyocyte into an ischemic heart, wherein the mature cardiomyocyte is generated comprising the steps of: providing an immature cardiomyocyte; providing a 3D cardiac ECM scaffold; and generating mature cardiomyocyte by seeding the immature cardiomyocyte in a 3D cardiac ECM scaffold or co-culturing the immature cardiomyocyte in the presence of endothelial cells or stromal cells; and harvesting once the cardiomyocyte has reached maturity.

Abstract: Provided is a process for creating a 3D metabolically active microtissue perfused with living microvessels which have a direct fluidic connection with neighboring microfluidic channels. The process comprises preparing a template comprising a plurality of channels, and creating a network within said channels, said network comprising microfluidic channels, metabolically active living microvessels, and microtissues. The microvessels can sprout from said microvessels and/or form within the microtissue in response to a stimulus applied from said microfluidic channels or stimulus derived from the said tissues. In another embodiment, a device is provided comprising a supportive structure, one or more microfluidic channels, one or more microtissue compartments, and one or more microvessels, whereby the microvessels connect said microfludic channels and microtissue and perfuse the microtissue to deliver fluid from the microfluidic channels to the microtissues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inducing and/or promoting cardiomyocyte maturation comprising: providing an immature cardiomyocyte; providing a three dimensional (3D) cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold; and inducing and/or promoting cardiomyocyte cell maturation by seeding the immature cardiomyocyte in the 3D cardiac ECM scaffold and harvesting once the cardiomyocyte has reached maturity. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating a disease in a mammal comprising transplanting a mature cardiomyocyte into an ischemic heart, wherein the mature cardiomyocyte is generated comprising the steps of: providing an immature cardiomyocyte; providing a 3D cardiac ECM scaffold; and generating mature cardiomyocyte by seeding the immature cardiomyocyte in a 3D cardiac ECM scaffold or co-culturing the immature cardiomyocyte in the presence of endothelial cells or stromal cells; and harvesting once the cardiomyocyte has reached maturity.

Abstract: A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a process for creating a 3D metabolically active microtissue perfused with living microvessels which have a direct fluidic connection with neighboring microfluidic channels. The process comprises preparing a template comprising a plurality of channels, and creating a network within said channels, said network comprising microfluidic channels, metabolically active living microvessels, and microtissues. The microvessels can sprout from said microvessels and/or form within the microtissue in response to a stimulus applied from said microfluidic channels or stimulus derived from the said tissues. In another embodiment, a device is provided comprising a supportive structure, one or more microfluidic channels, one or more microtissue compartments, and one or more microvessels, whereby the microvessels connect said microfludic channels and microtissue and perfuse the microtissue to deliver fluid from the microfluidic channels to the microtissues.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel immunodeficient rodent model comprising an organ graft, such as a human skin graft, said graft containing microvessels lined by endothelial cells, human T lymphocytes and, optionally, at least one agent capable of substantially depleting the rodent's Natural Killer cells. The human T lymphocytes are engrafted and circulating in the animal's blood, enabling interaction with the endothelial cells which can be allogenic to the donor for the skin graft. The immunodeficient rodent used can be a SCID mouse. Preferably, the endothelial cells are provided by grafting said human skin with an intact dermal superficial vascular plexus. This immunodeficient rodent can be used as a model for studying inflammatory human immune responses of the engrafted T lymphocytes to foreign antigen as well as for studying human allograft rejection, e.g. human microvessel destruction and the T cell-endothelial cell in vivo interactions associated with a human allograft rejection.