Abstract: A system and method for GPCR signaling pathway analysis and elucidation using a biosensor, a live-cell, and a pathway active compound, as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring ligand-induced cell activity as defined herein, the apparatus including: an optical biosensor having a contact surface including a compatibilizer zone, an optional surface modifier zone, and a live cell zone. The disclosure also provides a method of making the apparatus and methods for measuring ligand-induced live cell activity with the apparatus.

Abstract: 196. Disclosed are methods of incubating cells on biosensors, and methods using the disclosed incubation techniques to identify PDE4 modulators.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for measuring cellular responses under controlled environments. The disclosure also provides an array of devices for measuring cellular responses under controlled environments. The disclosure also provides methods to study cell signaling using the devices. By using microfluidics, the disclosure enables study of cell signaling under well-defined environment conditions. Such capability can be used for differentiating long-acting ligands from short-acting ligands, for determining the kinetics of receptor resensitization and functional recovery of receptor signaling, and for differentiating the sensitivity of a cell type to laminar flow-induced stress force. Through combination with conventional static label-free cell assays, the full spectrum of a drug compound can be studied in details, thus creating a complete representation of its pharmacology acting on living cells.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for characterizing the toxicity of a candidate molecule to liver cells as defined herein; methods of culturing metabolically active liver cells on a biosensor as defined herein; and biosensor liver culture systems as defined herein.

Abstract: Drug discovery is a complex undertaking facing many challenges, not the least of which is a high attrition rate as many promising candidates prove ineffective or toxic in the clinic owing to a poor understanding of the diseases, and thus the biological systems, they target. Therefore, it is broadly agreed that to increase the productivity of drug discovery one needs a far deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of diseases, taking into account the full biological context of the drug target and moving beyond individual genes and proteins. The present methods rely on the use of label-free cellular assays, particularly the DMR index, to systematically display the mode of actions, the toxicity, and the target(s) and pathway(s) of any molecules.

Abstract: Drug discovery is a complex undertaking facing many challenges, not the least of which is a high attrition rate as many promising candidates prove ineffective or toxic in the clinic owing to a poor understanding of the diseases, and thus the biological systems, they target. Therefore, it is broadly agreed that to increase the productivity of drug discovery one needs a far deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of diseases, taking into account the full biological context of the drug target and moving beyond individual genes and proteins. The present methods rely on the use of label-free cellular assays, particularly the DMR index, to systematically display the mode of actions, the toxicity, and the target(s) and pathway(s) of any molecules.

Abstract: A method for hit compound identification in a high throughput, label-free biosensor cellular assay, one method including, for example: generating at least one pathway-specific kinetic profile for a target receptor; generating a relational table that integrates each kinetic profile; determining a delta response with the relational table for candidate compounds screened against the target receptor; and identifying one or more hit compounds based upon the separation of the delta response from a threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, as defined herein, for use in compound screening, compound profiling, or both assays, for example, against two different cellular targets in, for example, a single cell-type.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring ligand-induced cell activity as defined herein, the apparatus including: an optical biosensor having a contact surface including a compatibilizer zone, an optional surface modifier zone, and a live cell zone. The disclosure also provides a method of making the apparatus and methods for measuring ligand-induced live cell activity with the apparatus.

Abstract: Described herein are supports useful in incorporating biomolecules into cells and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A cervical brace for restraining movement of a head and neck vertebra of a patient relative to at least one of a chest and an abdomen of the patient. The brace includes a mount sized and shaped for attachment to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient and a support extending upward from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient. The brace includes a loop sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient cantilevered from the support. The support includes at least one joint for adjusting at least one of a pitch, a yaw and a roll of the loop relative to the mount.