Abstract: An apparatus and method for assaying blood-brain barrier properties for drug and drug delivery vehicle screening comprising of a microfluidic apparatus with gaps separating lumen and tissue space enabling formation of tight junctions similar to in vivo conditions using endothelial cells and brain cells.

Abstract: A method for characterizing particle adhesion in microfluidic bifurcations and junctions comprises at least one idealized bifurcation or junction. Multiple bifurcations and/or junctions can be combined on a single microfluidic chip to create microfluidic networks configured for assays specifically to characterize particle interactions at junctions or to screen particles for desired interactions with microfluidic bifurcations and/or junctions.

Abstract: A method of assaying metastasis can include: providing a device of one of the embodiments; introducing the at least one cancer cell into the at least one internal chamber or at least one fluid channel; and studying metastasis of the at least one cancer cell. Optionally: introducing cancer cells into a first internal chamber; detecting escape of the cancer cell from the first internal chamber into the fluid channel; detecting migration of the cancer cell through the fluid channel; detecting adhesion of the cancer cell to a coating on the fluid channel; detecting invasion of the cancer cell into a second internal chamber from the fluid channel; or visualizing metastasis of the cancer cell with a visualization device.

Abstract: A microfluidically-controlled transmission mode nanoscal surface plasmonics sensor device comprises one or more arrays of aligned nanochannels in fluid communication with inflowing and outflowing fluid handling manifolds that control the flow of fluid through the array(s). Fluid comprising a sample for analysis is moved from an inlet manifold, through the nanochannel array, and out through an exit manifold. The fluid may also contain a reagent used to modify the interior surfaces of the nanochannels, and/or a reagent required for the detection of an analyte.

Abstract: A cell culture device can include: an internal chamber configured for an internal cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber; at least one fluid channel bordering the internal chamber that is configured for a channel cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the fluid channel; and a wall separating the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel having gaps that fluidly couple the internal chamber with the at least one fluid channel, wherein the perfusion modulating device causes reduced fluid flow. The internal chamber can include a first cell type and the at least one fluid channel includes a second cell type. The first cell type has an ischemic zone in the middle, a non-ischemic zone adjacent with the at least one fluid channel, and a border zone between the ischemic zone and non-ischemic zone.