Abstract: A pumpless microfluidic system is disclosed that can be used to mimic the interaction of organ systems with the immune system. Also disclosed is a method for mimicking an immune system, comprising culturing a plurality of organ cells and at least one population of immune cells in the disclosed pumpless microfluidic system under physiological conditions. The method can further comprise activating an immune reaction in the pumpless microfluidic system, continuing the culture for a defined period, collecting a sample of culture medium from the system, and assaying the sample for one or more indicators of an immune response.

Abstract: A pumpless microfluidic system is disclosed that can be used to mimic the interaction of organ systems with the immune system. Also disclosed is a method for mimicking an immune system, comprising culturing a plurality of organ cells and at least one population of immune cells in the disclosed pumpless microfluidic system under physiological conditions. The method can further comprise activating an immune reaction in the pumpless microfluidic system, continuing the culture for a defined period, collecting a sample of culture medium from the system, and assaying the sample for one or more indicators of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inducing myelination of isolated motoneurons by preparing a non-biological substrate having thereon a covalently attached monolayer of DETA; depositing isolated motoneurons on the substrate in a defined serum-free medium; plating isolated Schwann cells cultured in the defined serum-free medium onto the motoneurons, thereby initiating a co-culture; and passaging the co-culture as necessary into fresh, defined serum-free medium supplemented with L-ascorbic acid at least until the motoneurons form Nodes of Ranvier indicative of myelination. The invention also includes a method of testing for new drugs effective in demyelinating diseases. Additionally, cellular products provided by the invention include an isolated motoneurons myelinated or remyelinated in vitro according to the methods disclosed.

Abstract: A toner system for delivering powder toner from a storage hopper to an element carrying an electrostatic pattern of charge to be toned before transfer to a receptor such as paper includes a scavenger which, when coupled to the toner system can be actuated to develop a slight negative pressure in the toner system sufficient to entrap flow enhancers such as zinc stearate and to remove the non-magnetic zinc stearate from the toner system. The scavenger includes baffles for collecting particles and means for developing the negative pressure in the toner system.The toner system also includes a pair of magnetic clips for positioning on the metering blade of the toner system to define the width of the toner path being transfered from the toner system to the electrostatic image on the dielectric surface and a cleaning device which periodically moves along the metering blade to clean the front of the metering blade of any accumulated toner.