Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include a microfluidic device for imaging a tissue sample. The device can include a tissue chamber, a liquid inlet channel, and a liquid outlet channel. The tissue chamber can be defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of which is transparent. The liquid inlet channel can be fluid communication with the tissue chamber. The liquid outlet channel can be in fluid communication with the tissue chamber. The tissue chamber can be sized and dimensioned to completely immobilize the tissue sample during imaging.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for evaluating a tissue sample can include a tissue chamber, a liquid inlet channel, a liquid outlet channel, and at least one of components (1)-(3). The tissue chamber can be defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of which is transparent. The liquid inlet and outlet channels can be in fluid communication with the tissue chamber. Components (1)-(3) can include: (1) a deformable membrane disposed within the tissue chamber and being configured to oscillate, upon application of pressure thereto, to mechanically compress the tissue sample; (2) first and second electrodes disposed about the tissue chamber and being configured such that delivery of electrical energy thereto creates an electrical gradient across the tissue chamber; and (3) at least one deformable wall, which partially defines the tissue chamber and is configured to stretch either uniaxially or biaxially upon application of negative pressure to the tissue chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemically defined cell culture media and methods of using the media. The invention also provides an inverse screen to identify small molecules and synergies stimulating proliferation in a chemically defined medium. In this chemical-genetics approach, a compound-protein interaction data-base is used to systematically score genetic targets on a screen-wide scale to extract further information about cell growth. Validated factors were investigated for their ability to maintain cell growth over multiple passages in the chemically defined medium (CDM). Polyamines were identified as important components that enables the CDM to support the long-term maintenance of C1.8 cells and Kc cells (such as Kc167 cells). Our cumulative target scoring approach improves on traditional chemical-genetics methods and is extensible to biological processes in other species.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for evaluating a tissue sample can include a tissue chamber, a liquid inlet channel, a liquid outlet channel, and at least one of components (1)-(3). The tissue chamber can be defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of which is transparent. The liquid inlet and outlet channels can be in fluid communication with the tissue chamber. Components (1)-(3) can include: (1) a deformable membrane disposed within the tissue chamber and being configured to oscillate, upon application of pressure thereto, to mechanically compress the tissue sample; (2) first and second electrodes disposed about the tissue chamber and being configured such that delivery of electrical energy thereto creates an electrical gradient across the tissue chamber; and (3) at least one deformable wall, which partially defines the tissue chamber and is configured to stretch either uniaxially or biaxially upon application of negative pressure to the tissue chamber.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include a microfluidic device for imaging a tissue sample. The device can include a tissue chamber, a liquid inlet channel, and a liquid outlet channel. The tissue chamber can be defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of which is transparent. The liquid inlet channel can be fluid communication with the tissue chamber. The liquid outlet channel can be in fluid communication with the tissue chamber. The tissue chamber can be sized and dimensioned to completely immobilize the tissue sample during imaging.