Traditional methods of studying lung diseases have limitations. Culturing lung cells alone doesn’t capture the complex environment of the lung, where multiple cell types interact. Animal models, on the other hand, are difficult to control and don’t always provide clear insights. The new tissue chip technology offers a balanced approach, allowing us to model these complex interactions in a controlled setting.
By the end of the first year, the research team plans to demonstrate the infection of the lung chip with influenza and observe an inflammatory response in the brain chip. This will help them test how well the chips can simulate real-world viral infections and their effects on the brain.
The project has the potential to provide new insights into how respiratory diseases cause long-term neurological damage and could lead to improved treatments for conditions like brain fog, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
This three-year project, funded by BARDA, represents a significant step in the development of tissue-on-chip technology and its application in understanding the complex relationship between respiratory infections and brain health. By linking lung and brain chips, the research could pave the way for more effective therapies to treat neurological symptoms associated with viral infections.
MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of Rochester