Microfluidic technologies are well-suited to investigate properties of the bloodstream and various bloodstream components, including the vessel wall. Recently, our group, and others, have employed 3D-printing technologies to enhance prototyping of new devices. Devices fabricated with 3D-printing also have a distinct advantage over other fluidic technologies in terms of interfacing parts with standard laboratory tools such as pumps and detectors (e.g., plate readers). Here, data will be presented  where these fluidic devices are being used to detect cell to cell communication between cells representing different body systems in vivo. Specifically, data will be shown where a cultured cell line representing the pancreatic beta-cells secretes insulin, C-peptide, zinc, etc into a flowing stream of red blood cells. The interaction between these cells representing portions of the paracrine and circulatory systems, respectively, results in downstream effects on other cells such as the endothelium. Molecular markers from each system can be determined on the device, thus enhancing "human on chip" studies. We will also demonstrate how these devices are leading to the development of new diagnostic tools. Currently, we have a 100+ patient study involving multiple sclerosis (MS) in which the diagnostic tool can detect MS in the presence of other neurological diseases with sensitivity and specificity values greater than 90.

Discovery of new therapies and diagnostics while studying bloodstream components with 3D-printed fluidic devices

251st National Meeting (2016)

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