Scientists are developing advanced tools to understand and treat neurological symptoms such as brain fog associated with respiratory diseases like influenza. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a three-year contract to researchers at the University of Rochester to develop a technology to model respiratory disease effects on the brain and test therapeutic drugs to prevent and treat symptoms. The base-year is funded at $2.4 million with two option years which, if fully funded, would total $7.1 million.
The project will use microphysiological systems (MPS)-; small chips with ultrathin membranes supporting 3D networks of human cells, also known as “tissue chips”-;to simulate infection and treatment in vitro. This tissue chips will incorporate human lung and brain tissue models.
“This is another step toward making disease modeling and drug discovery focused from the very beginning on more complex, human-relevant systems,” says principal investigator Benjamin Miller, a Dean’s Professor of Dermatology at Rochester with joint appointments in biomedical engineering, biochemistry and biophysics, optics, and materials science.
These chips can help make the whole drug discovery process faster.”
Benjamin Miller, University of Rochester
The project builds on work at Rochester’s recently established Translational Center for Barrier Microphysiological Systems (TraCe-bMPS) to build FDA-qualified drug development tools for studying the body’s barrier functions in combating disease. The center was created earlier this year with a $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Co-investigator James McGrath,