John Wikswo

Pediatric health conditions, their treatments and the related stress hinder the prefrontal cortex, which is the region of the brain associated with learning, memory and behavior. (istock)

Goal of new tissue-chip research is to assess efficacy of novel epilepsy drugs

An interdisciplinary team of Vanderbilt University researchers has received a two-year, $2-million federal grant to develop an “organ-on-chip” model for two genetic forms of epilepsy.

tiny petri dishes with wires in them

Organ-on-a-chip mimics heart’s biomechanical properties

Scientists at Vanderbilt University have created a three-dimensional organ-on-a-chip that can mimic the heart’s amazing biomechanical properties in order to study cardiac disease, develop heart drugs.

Electrical circuit with various components interfaced with a brain

Blood-brain barrier on a chip sheds new light on “silent killer”

A new microfluidic device containing human cells that faithfully mimics the behavior of the blood-brain barrier is providing new insights into brain inflammation, the silent killer.

chip closeup

Vanderbilt’s neurovascular chip project moves into new phase

Vanderbilt researchers will play a key role in the second phase of the federal “tissue chip for drug screening” program.

Richard Caprioli and mass spectrometer

Vanderbilt awarded $16.5 million agreement to determine how toxic agents affect human cells

Vanderbilt University has been awarded a Cooperative Agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Army Research Office that is worth up to $16.5 million over five years.

microbrain

Vanderbilt-led team to develop ‘microbrain’ to improve drug testing

Creating a device out of human cells that simulates brain chemistry is the goal of a $6.4 million grant which is part of major new federal initiative to develop a series of “organs on a chip” designed to improve the drug development process.