Transparent Ultrathin Nanomembranes for Barrier Cell Models and Novel Co-Culture Systems

摘要 这项研究计划的主要目标是：一、研究和开发透明超薄 纳米膜和二，利用这些膜来推进体外生物医学模型 系统通过PI以及当前和未来的合作者的实验室工作。 纳米膜的发展将包括制备超薄纳米孔的研究 二氧化硅薄膜，扩大其活性区域，创造独特的表面化学反应 促进细胞互动和传感器技术的整合。这项研究计划将 使合作者能够可视化内皮屏障的迁移，在体外产生更好的效果 患者来源的原发肺囊性病变模型中的角膜模型和运动纤毛可视化 纤维化症。此外，纳米膜的开发将使合作成为可能并提供 为调查人员提供解决现有挑战和扩大各自领域的工具。一个 共同的需求是在生理相关的模型系统中培养细胞的能力，该模型系统可以 实时可视化。透明的超薄多孔膜可以做到这一点 几乎所有的障碍模式和共文化体系。二氧化硅纳米膜使共培养细胞成为可能 在生理距离范围内(~100 nm)，同时提供玻璃状 光学透明性和几乎畅通无阻的信号分子传输。在以下方面取得成功 开发新的人体体外系统有望减少对动物模型的依赖， 同时增加生理相关性并加速药物开发。 这些芯片上的组织和器官还可以对复杂的细胞事件进行实时成像 这需要复杂和精心安排的微环境。

Abstract The main goals of this research program are to; one, research and develop transparent ultrathin nanomembranes and two, utilize these membranes to advance biomedical in vitro model systems through work in the laboratory of the PI and current and future collaborators. Nanomembrane development will include research toward fabricating ultrathin nanoporous silicon dioxide membranes, scaling up their active area, creating unique surface chemistries to promote cellular interaction and integration of sensor technologies. This research program will enable collaborators to visualize endothelial barrier transmigration, produce better in vitro corneal models and visualize motile cilia in a patient derived primary lung model of cystic fibrosis. In addition, nanomembrane development will enable and supply collaborating Investigators with the tools to solve existing challenges and expand their respective fields. A common need is the ability to culture cells in a physiologically relevant model system that can be visualized in real-time. Transparent ultrathin porous membranes can accomplish this for almost any barrier model and co-culture system. SiO2 nanomembranes enable co-cultured cells to be brought within physiological separations distances (~100 nm), while providing glass-like optical transparency and nearly unhindered transport of signaling molecules. Success in developing new human in vitro systems promises to reduce the reliance on animal models, while simultaneously increasing physiological relevance and accelerating drug development. These tissue- and organ-on-a-chips also make feasible live imaging of complex cellular events that require sophisticated and well-orchestrated microenvironments.