Organ-on-chip tools for diseases that affect body barriers
A Translational Center for Barrier MPS
This center builds organ‑on‑chip lab tests to help develop better drugs for people with conditions like autoimmune joint disease, sepsis, fibrosis, central nervous system disorders, and bone infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Rochester and Duke will create drug‑development tools based on microphysiological systems (organ‑on‑chip) that mimic tissue barriers such as the blood–brain barrier and barrier tissues in bone and muscle. The center will adapt existing validated MPS models on a modular µSiM platform, add live‑cell imaging and integrated sensors, and write standard operating procedures to make tests reproducible. Each drug‑development tool will be validated in at least two laboratories and prepared as a full qualification package for the FDA. The center also plans cores for resources and administration to support commercialization, collaboration, and sharing of the tools.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions linked to barrier dysfunction—such as certain CNS disorders, fibrosis, musculoskeletal autoimmune diseases, sepsis, or osteomyelitis—are the populations most likely to benefit from therapies developed using these tools.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to barrier function or those seeking immediate personal treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefits from the center’s research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tools could speed up safer drug development and improve treatments targeting barrier breakdown in several diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Organ‑on‑chip and microphysiological system approaches have shown promising laboratory results and some translational successes, but fully qualified FDA drug‑development tools remain relatively rare and are still being established.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgrath, James L — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mcgrath, James L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.