Background
Traditional trans-well assays have long been a fundamental component in cell biology, allowing researchers to study cell migration, permeability, and transport processes across a semi-permeable membrane. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to replicate more closely the dynamic environment of human tissues, including the blood-brain barrier, to improve the relevance and applicability of findings.
Current assays often fail to accurately mimic the biological conditions of tissues and organs, particularly the blood-brain barrier, which is critical for CNS drug delivery. Static models lack the ability to replicate the shear stress and flow dynamics that cells experience in vivo, leading to discrepancies between in-vitro and in-vivo results. This limits the effectiveness of drug development pipelines and hampers the prediction of a compound's success in clinical trials.
Technology description
This invention revolutionizes traditional trans-well assays by introducing controlled flow conditions that better simulate in-vivo physiological interactions, particularly for studying the blood-brain barrier. The system's design enables high-throughput screening with the capacity to operate 48 assays simultaneously, enhancing both the speed and efficiency of research processes. Its improved predictive capabilities offer invaluable insights for drug developers, making it a significant upgrade over existing assay models.
The technology stands out because it directly addresses the challenges of accurately predicting how compounds will interact with the blood-brain barrier, a crucial step in CNS-targeted drug development. It improves oral bioavailability prediction, which is essential for determining drug dosages and delivery methods. The lab prototype has already shown potential for large-scale drug screening, positioning this technology as a pioneering tool for cell culture work and pharmaceutical research, in both academic and industrial settings.
Benefits
- Enhanced accuracy in simulating physiological conditions of the blood-brain barrier
- Capability for high-throughput screening with 48 simultaneous assays
- Improved predictive capability for better drug development outcomes
- Potential for large-scale industrial and academic research use
- Advancement in oral bioavailability studies
Commercial applications
- Pharmaceutical research and development for CNS-targeted drug discovery
- Screening compounds for blood-brain barrier permeability in drug development
- High-throughput assays for academic research in cell biology and pharmacology
- Biomedical applications that require simulation of in-vivo conditions for improved drug testing
Opportunity
The University of Texas at Austin is seeking an industry partner to license this technology.
