Introduction Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the earliest signs of sepsis and is linked with long-term cognitive impairment. As animal models poorly recapitulate human sepsis, alternative approaches are direly needed to understand sepsis-associated brain injury and…
Author: Molly McCloskey
HBVP (pericyte) and hCMEC/D3 (endothelial cell) µSiM Coculture Optimization
Introduction Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the earliest signs of sepsis and is linked with long-term cognitive impairment. We are developing a coculture model of the human blood-brain barrier (µSiM-hBBB) to elucidate mechanisms of BBB breakdown…
iPSC IMR90-4 ApoE Genotyping
Introduction The ApoE4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene is the greatest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Further it has been linked to increased susceptibility and duration of infection. On the other hand, the ApoE3 allele has…
Posted in memBrains
ALine mod-µSiM: Version2
Modular µSiM Version 2 (V2) Holds ~30 µl of media in the bottom channel. Designed for cocultures, ELISAs, and other assays that are easier with greater channel media volumes. For more surface area and volume information on mod-µSiM V2, see…
10 kDa Small Molecule Permeability Optimization
Introduction A healthy blood-brain barrier is not permissive to most small molecules, but during inflammation, tight junctions weaken and the barrier becomes more permissive. We have developed an in situ permeability assay that tracks diffusion across a cell monolayer and…
Neural Crest Stem Cell Differentiation into Brain Pericyte-like Cells
Introduction Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the earliest signs of sepsis and is linked with long-term cognitive impairment. As animal models poorly recapitulate human sepsis, alternative approaches are direly needed to understand sepsis-associated brain injury and…
Posted in memBrains
hiPSC Differentiation into Neural Crest Stem Cells
Introduction Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the earliest signs of sepsis and is linked with long-term cognitive impairment. As animal models poorly recapitulate human sepsis, alternative approaches are direly needed to understand sepsis-associated brain injury and…
hCMEC/D3 Barrier Formation
Goal In preparation for experimentation with hCMEC/D3, an immortalized BBB cells line, I characterized barrier formation by taking TEER. I want to find peak barrier formation to determine what day to run assays. Methods hCMEC/D3 were maintained and passaged in…
Posted in NRG
Modular µSiM Device Assembly
Introduction We are aiming to make device assembly easy and quick, particularly for distribution to non-engineering laboratories. We are collaborating with ALine to develop assembly via pressure-sensitive adhesion techniques. Assembly Process Modular Device Assembly Animation2 We made ten devices with…
Posted in NRG
hiPSC Differentiation to Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (BMEC)
INTRODUCTION The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective endothelial barrier that serves a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis in the brain. Many current models, however, suffer from low TEER and permeability values far greater than physiological levels. Recently,…
Posted in NRG
