Abstract: In the present invention, a cardiomyocyte cluster is disposed on a transparent substrate, and the quality of the cardiomyocytes is evaluated from the response of the cells to a forced pulsation stimulus applied to the cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocyte cluster is disposed on the transparent substrate, and is exposed to the flow of a liquid containing an agent in a manner so that the agent acts on the cells, which configure a network. The extent of cardiac toxicity resulting from the agent is evaluated from measuring the fluctuations obtained from a comparison of adjacent cardiomyocytes of the network.

Abstract: Regarding cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, it is meaningful to develop a device or system whereby, upon the transmission of pulsation from an adjacent cardiomyocyte or fibroblast, cell potential and cell morphology can be accurately measured on a single cell basis and the toxicity of a drug on cardiomyocytes can be examined on the basis of accurately measured cell potential and cell morphology of a single cell. In the present invention, a mass of cardiomyocytes is disposed on a transparent substrate and the qualities of the cardiomyocytes are evaluated depending on the response of the cardiomyocytes to a forced pulsation stimulus that is applied to the pulsating cardiomyocytes. A mass of cardiomyocytes, said mass being disposed on the transparent substrate, is exposed to a flow of a drug-containing liquid so as to allow the drug to act on cells configuring a network.

Abstract: A method wherein a mass of cardiomyocytes is disposed on a transparent substrate and the quality of the cardiomyocytes is evaluated from the response of the cardiomyocytes to a forced pulsation stimulus that is applied to the pulsating cardiomyocytes. The mass of cardiomyocytes, which is disposed on the transparent substrate, is exposed to the flow of a drug-containing liquid in such a manner as to allow the drug to act on cells configuring a network. The level of cardiotoxicity caused by the drug is evaluated by measuring the fluctuations obtained from a comparison of adjacent pulsating cardiomyocytes of the network.

Abstract: Provided is a device and a method for examining myocardial toxicity, which can be realized in vitro in an equivalent manner as those conventionally carried out in vivo. A cell population as a pulsating pacemaker is arranged on a transparent substrate. Myocardial pulsating cells are arranged while being spaced apart appropriately. Fibroblast cells are arranged with/connected to the myocardial pulsating cells to form a cell network. Each of the myocardial pulsating cells and fibroblast cells forming the network is arranged on a transparent electrode provided on the transparent substrate. The cells forming the network are exposed to a flow of a solution containing a drug and QT delay due to the drug is evaluated.

Abstract: In the present invention, a cardiomyocyte cluster is disposed on a transparent substrate, and the quality of the cardiomyocytes is evaluated from the response of the cells to a forced pulsation stimulus applied to the cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocyte cluster is disposed on the transparent substrate, and is exposed to the flow of a liquid containing an agent in a manner so that the agent acts on the cells, which configure a network. The extent of cardiac toxicity resulting from the agent is evaluated from measuring the fluctuations obtained from a comparison of adjacent cardiomyocytes of the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating a drug effect enabling on-chip evaluation of the effect of a drug while the drug is acting on hERG-expressing cells. The present invention also provides a myocardial toxicity test apparatus and method therefor enabling in vitro myocardial toxicity testing that has previously been performed in vivo. A pulsating cell population and hERG-expressing cells (target model cells) are suitably isolated and arranged on a transparent substrate so that the two form gap junctions. The hERG-expressing cells are arranged on transparent electrodes provided on the transparent substrate. The hERG-expressing cells are exposed to a flow of a liquid containing a drug such that the drug acts thereon. The difference between the normal pulsation of hERG-expressing cells and the pulsation when a drug is acting thereon is captured via electric signals obtained from electrodes, and the properties of the change in potential are evaluated.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a device and a method for examining myocardial toxicity, which can be realized in vitro in an equivalent manner as those conventionally carried out in vivo. [Means for Solving the Problem] A cell population as a pulsating pacemaker is arranged on a transparent substrate, and then myocardial pulsating cells are arranged while being spaced apart appropriately. An appropriate number of fibroblast cells are arranged with/connected to the myocardial pulsating cells to form a cell network. Each of the myocardial pulsating cells and fibroblast cells forming the network is arranged on a transparent electrode provided on the transparent substrate. This cell network can be optically observed. The cells forming the network are exposed to a flow of a solution containing a drug.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating a drug effect enabling on-chip evaluation of the effect of a drug while the drug is acting on hERG-expressing cells. The present invention also provides a myocardial toxicity test apparatus and method therefor enabling in vitro myocardial toxicity testing that has previously been performed in vivo. A pulsating cell population and hERG-expressing cells (target model cells) are suitably isolated and arranged on a transparent substrate so that the two form gap junctions. The hERG-expressing cells are arranged on transparent electrodes provided on the transparent substrate. The hERG-expressing cells are exposed to a flow of a liquid containing a drug such that the drug acts thereon. The difference between the normal pulsation of hERG-expressing cells and the pulsation when a drug is acting thereon is captured via electric signals obtained from electrodes, and the properties of the change in potential are evaluated.

Abstract: A chip has been developed that can accurately measure cell potential and cell morphology on a single cell basis. The chip also constitutes a cardiac model that comprises a closed loop whereupon cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts are suitably dispersed and arranged, and that can evaluate the effects of a drug thereon. An in vitro cardiac reentry model chip is fabricated by constructing a closed loop comprising cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts arrayed on transparent electrodes formed on a transparent substrate by using a constitution where single cells are enclosed in a specific spatial configuration. A pulse wave of a random cardiomyocyte or a specific cardiomyocyte is propagated on both sides of the loop, and the pulsation status of the cells in the loop is detected electrically. A drug is applied to this cardiac reentry model chip, and the benefit or toxicity of the drug to cardiomyocytes is evaluated by measuring the cell potentials of individual cells.