Biology subjects

Ferrick, B. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Ferrick, B. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Democratizing Organ-on-Chip Technologies with a Modular, Reusable, and Perfusion-Ready Microphysiological System

Organ-on-chip (OOC) technologies, also called microphysi-ological systems (MPS), offer dynamic microenvironments that improve upon static culture systems, yet widespread adoption has been hindered by fabrication complexity, reliance on poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and limited modularity. Here, we present a modular MPS platform designed for ease of use, re-producibility, and broad applicability. The system comprises layered elastomeric inserts for dual monolayer cell culture, which is clamped within a reusable acrylic cassette for perfusion studies. This enables researchers to decouple model establishment from flow experiments and streamline their work-flows. We validated the system using dual epithelial and en-dothelial cell co-culture under static and perfused conditions, including shear-induced alignment of HUVECs. Material testing confirmed biocompatibility, while vinyl cutting reproducibility demonstrated high manufacturing fidelity. The platform reliably supported long-term culture (up to 14 days), and the open insert format facilitated uniform seeding and imaging access. This approach enables parallelized experimentation, minimizes pump usage, and is well-suited for labs without microfabrication infrastructure. By combining fabrication flexibility with biological robustness, this work establishes a generalizable platform for modular tissue-chip development adapted to diverse organ systems and serves as a foundational framework for democratizing advanced in vitro model systems. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=159 SRC="FIGDIR/small/651503v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (35K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e5fed3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bcf27eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d46f33org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d0912f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Zonal Patterning of Extracellular Matrix and Stromal Cell Populations Along a Perfusable Cellular Microchannel

The spatial organization of biophysical and biochemical cues in the extracellular matrix (ECM) in concert with reciprocal cell-cell signaling is vital to tissue patterning during development. However, elucidating the role an individual microenvironmental factor plays using existing in vivo models is difficult due to their inherent complexity. In this work, we have developed a microphysiological system to spatially pattern the biochemical, biophysical, and stromal cell composition of the ECM along an epithelialized 3D microchannel. This technique is adaptable to multiple hydrogel compositions and scalable to the number of zones patterned. We confirmed that the methodology to create distinct zones resulted in a continuous, annealed hydrogel with regional interfaces that did not hinder the transport of soluble molecules. Further, the interface between hydrogel regions did not disrupt microchannel structure, epithelial lumen formation, or media perfusion through an acellular or cellularized microchannel. Finally, we demonstrated spatially patterned tubulogenic sprouting of a continuous epithelial tube into the surrounding hydrogel confined to local regions with stromal cell populations, illustrating spatial control of cell-cell interactions and signaling gradients. This easy-to-use system has wide utility for modeling three-dimensional epithelial and endothelial tissue interactions with heterogeneous hydrogel compositions and/or stromal cell populations to investigate their mechanistic roles during development, homeostasis, or disease.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

A straightforward cell culture insert model to incorporate biochemical and biophysical stromal properties into transplacental transport studies

IntroductionThe placental extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamically remodels over pregnancy and in disease. How these changes impact placental barrier function is poorly understood as there are limited in vitro models of the placenta with a modifiable stromal compartment to mechanistically investigate these extracellular factors. We developed a straightforward method to incorporate uniform hydrogels into standard cell culture inserts for transplacental transport studies. MethodsUniform polyacrylamide (PAA) gels were polymerized within cell culture inserts by (re)using the insert packaging to create a closed, controllable environmental chamber. PAA pre-polymer solution was added dropwise via a syringe to the cell culture insert and the atmosphere was purged with an inert gas. Transport and cell culture studies were conducted to validate the model. ResultsWe successfully incorporated and ECM functionalized uniform PAA gels to cell culture inserts enable cell adhesion and monolayer formation. Imaging and analyte transport studies validated gel formation and expected mass transport results and successful cell studies confirmed cell viability, monolayer formation, and that the model could be used transplacental transport studies. Detailed methods and validation protocols are included. DiscussionIt is well appreciated that ECM biophysical and biochemical properties impact cell phenotype and cell signaling in many tissues including the placenta. The incorporation of a PAA gel within a cell culture insert enables independent study of placental ECM biophysical and biochemical properties in the context of transplacental transport. These straightforward and low-cost methods to build three dimensional cellular models are readily adoptable by the wider scientific community.

physiology↗