Organ-on-a-Chip for Aerospace Physiology and Toxicology
Abstract
The relationship between physiological stressors and the mechanisms of imposed changes at the cellular level is vital knowledge to mitigate injury of armed forces personnel from chemical or environmental exposures. Current batch cell culture models are unable to recapitulate the conditions experienced in a dynamic in vivo microenvironment, where nutrients are constantly circulating and waste is removed. Additionally, animal exposure models are costly and time-consuming, and often fail to accurately predict human outcomes. We completed proof of concept work on a biomimetic model that more reliably portrays in vivo conditions by designing a microfluidic biomimetic lung exposure model that can be used in place or as an initial screening mechanism prior to animal studies for assaying chemical and environmental exposure. This approach adapts current microfluidic technology for novel Aerospace toxicology investigations specific to volatile compounds. We developed in-house microfluidic fabrication capabilities, design and create organ-chip devices with in vivo mimetic traits, establish microfluidic cell culture methods and assays of rat lung cells. With the fabrication techniques demonstrated, this work serves as the foundation for the development of a biomimetic rat lung model. This model could serve as a low-cost, screening template enabling the rapid transition of the technology to assess emerging materials, operational environments, and toxic threats to the DoD community with further device validation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 15, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA614243
Entities
People
- Andrew Sarangan
- Christin M. Grabinski
- Claude C. Grigsby
- Jennifer A. Martin
- Joshua E. Smith
- Laura K. Stolle
- Saber M. Hussain
- Trevor B Tilly
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory