Competitive ELISA assay to measure the HA shedding from HUVEC monolayer Introduction The endothelial glycocalyx is a dense layer of proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that helps maintain the integrity of the endothelial cell (EC) barrier.1 The main GAGs are…
Category: NRG
Sampling Method Permeability Assay Optimization
Motivation We have discussed the optimization of our in situ permeability assay at length. This assay relies on confocal microscopy, which may not be accessible to all users of the µSiM. Therefore, we developed an alternative permeability assay in the…
Immune Checkpoint Therapy – EV Analysis
Introduction & Motivation A subset of cancer cells has mutations that generate proteins recognized by the immune system as foreign, triggering the immune-mediated clearance of those cells. To avoid this fate, cancer cells can evolve mechanisms to suppress this antitumor…
Posted in NRG
Biphasic migratory response of endothelial cells to membrane porosity
Although most previous studies suggest a weakened cell-substrate interaction over porous membranes, there are variations in the observed cell responses, likely due to the use of different cell types, substrate materials, and experimental methods. We are seeking to develop a…
Posted in NRG
Strutting the Runway: Modeling the Microfluidics and Reaction Kinetics of the μSiM-DX
The development of the μSiM-DX has been swift and focused, as discussed in these previous blog posts: https://trace-bmps.org/beadazzled-laying-the-foundation-of-the-%ce%bcsim-dx-fouling-based-sensor/ and https://trace-bmps.org/vindictive-virus-capture-testing-the-%ce%bcsim-dx-with-vaccinia-virus-towards-a-modular-virus-diagnostic/. To provide a greater understanding of the inner workings of the device, I have done a few calculations regarding some of…
Thinkin’ Secretion in the µSiM
One of the many contributions Alec S. made to our group is to help us appreciate the importance of the apicobasal (A/B) polarity of endothelial cells. The effects of A/B polarity were demonstrated in his paper: Integrative Biology (2020), 12(11),275–289…
Vindictive Virus Capture: Testing the μSiM-DX with Vaccinia Virus Towards a Modular Virus Diagnostic
After completing proof of concept testing with polystyrene beads and with the goal of creating a SARS-CoV-2 sensor (Discussed in this post: https://trace-bmps.org/beadazzled-laying-the-foundation-of-the-%ce%bcsim-dx-fouling-based-sensor/), we sought to test the performance of the system with a target more similar to the SARS-CoV-2…
Beadazzled: Laying the Foundation of the μSiM-DX Fouling-based Sensor
Starting in December of 2019, we began capturing fluorescent beads on microslit silicon nanomembranes as an illustrative representation of particle capture within our microfluidic devices. From then until now we have successfully used this method within gasket made TFAC devices…
Theoretical Underpinnings of Small Molecule Permeability Measurements in the µSiM (Part 4: Sampling)**
Introduction In addition to in situ measurements of small molecule permeability (Parts 1, 2 and 3), we wish to enable an assessment of permeability by sampling from the abluminal chamber of the µSiM in a manner similar to what is…
Affinity Based Capture of Streptavidin Conjugated EVs
Introduction Proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells require bidirectional cell-cell communication. Cell-cell communication involves the secretion of oncoproteins, mRNAs, RNAs and DNA fragments by cancer cells. The particles that get secreted by these cancer cells are encapsulated in extracellular…
Posted in NRG
