Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: Systems and methods interconnect cell culture devices and/or fluidic devices by transferring discrete volumes of fluid between devices. A liquid-handling system collects a volume of fluid from at least one source device and deposits the fluid into at least one destination device. In some embodiments, a liquid-handling robot actuates the movement and operation of a fluid collection device in an automated manner to transfer the fluid between the at least one source device and the at least one destination device. In some cases, the at least one source device and the at least one destination device are cell culture devices. The at least one source device and the at least one destination device may be microfluidic or non-microfluidic devices. In some cases, the cell culture devices may be microfluidic cell culture devices. In further cases, the microfluidic cell culture devices may include organ-chips.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can not only bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, but they also have improved capability (e g, enhanced sensitivity or signal intensity) of detecting a microbe or microbial matter. Thus, the microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, and/or the kit described herein can be used in various applications, e.g., but not limited to assays for detection of a microbe or microbial matter, diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents for diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface, and/or devices for removal of a microbe or microbial matter from a fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, for example methods of treatment of sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.

Abstract: An organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device is disclosed that mimics a human lymph node and/or human lymphoid tissue. The device can include cells from human blood and lymphatic tissue, include an extracellular matrix for the development of immune system components, and provide for the perfusion of fluids and solids resembling blood and lymphatic fluid within micrometer sized channels.

Abstract: An organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device is disclosed that mimics a human lymph node and/or human lymphoid tissue. The device can include cells from human blood and lymphatic tissue, include an extracellular matrix for the development of immune system components, and provide for the perfusion of fluids and solids resembling blood and lymphatic fluid within micrometer sized channels.

Abstract: An organ-on-chip device for monitoring a biological function and including a membrane layer located at an interface region between a top microchannel and the a microchannel. The membrane includes a first type of cells forming a barrier between the top microchannel and the bottom microchannel. The device further includes a top layer having a first plurality of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement electrodes for enabling direct monitoring of cell function and electrical activity of the first type of cells on the membrane. The device also has a multi-electrode array (MEA) layer with a second plurality of TEER measurement electrodes for enabling direct monitoring of cell function and electrical activity of a second type of cells on the MEA layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for inhibiting respiratory viral infections, inflammatory diseases, and/or respiratory inflammation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides immunogenic compositions and methods of producing immunogenic compositions sufficient to produce an antigen-specific immune response against variant influenza virus strains. Also provided herein are methods of identifying drug-resistant influenza virus strains.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules, kits comprising the same and uses thereof. The microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules can comprise a microbe surface-binding domain linked to a portion of an Fc region. Further, the microbe-targeting molecules can be conjugated to substrate (e.g., a magnetic particle) to form a microbe-targeting substrate. Such microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates and the kits comprising the same can be used in various applications, such as diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes. Moreover, the microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates can be easily regenerated after use.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are combination therapies for inhibiting influenza virus infection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for providing an in vitro intestinal model system, e.g., using primary cells instead of cell lines and/or cancerous cells.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic layer, a capture material, and an electronics layer, the fluidic layer includes a main channel and a pair of sample channels fluidly coupled to the main channel. The pair of sample channels is configured to receive and introduce a sample material into the device. The sample material includes an analyte. The capture material is positioned in a portion of the main channel that is spaced from the pair of sample channels. The capture material has a three-dimensional matrix of receptors therein configured to bond with the analyte. The capture material has a length that is associated with a dynamic range of the fluidic device and a cross-sectional area that is associated with a sensitivity of the fluidic device. The electronics layer includes electrodes configured to measure an electrical resistance through a portion of the capture material.

Abstract: Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, for example methods of treatment of sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing and using a body having a first structure defining a first chamber, a second structure defining a second chamber, a membrane located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber to separate the first chamber from the second chamber. The first chamber comprises a first permeable matrix disposed therein and the first permeable matrix comprises at least one or a plurality of lumens each extending therethrough, which is optionally lined with at least one layer of cells. The second chamber can comprise cells cultured therein. The systems and methods described herein can be used for various applications, including, e.g., growth and/or differentiation of primary cells, and/or simulation of a microenvironment in living tissues and/or organs (to model physiology or disease states, and/or to identify therapeutic agents). The systems and methods can also permit co-cultures of two or more different cell types.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.

Abstract: TRPV4 activation increases vascular permeability and can be triggered by both chemical and mechanical cues. This activation of TRPV4 can contribute to a number of pathological conditions, e.g., edema, inflammation, hypertension, and/or hyperalgesia. Described herein are methods and compositions relating to inhibition of mechanically-induced TRPV4 activation, e.g., for the treatment of pulmonary edema, edema, inflammation, hypertension, and/or hyperalgesia.