Systems and methods for growth of intestinal cells in microfluidic devices

US12378528B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• EMULATE, INC. · US
• Cedars Sinai Medical Center · US

Inventors

• S. Jordan Kerns · Reading, US
• Norman Wen · Dedham, US
• Carol Lucchesi · Westwood, US
• Christopher David Hinojosa · Cambridge, US
• Jacob Fraser · Somerville, US
• Jefferson Puerta · Malden, US
• Geraldine Hamilton · Cambridge, US
• Robert Barrett · St. Petersburg, US
• Clive Svendsen · Santa Monica, US
• Daniel Levner · Brookline, US
• Stephen R. Targan · Santa Monica, US
• Michael Workman · Santa Monica, US
• Dhruv Sareen · Deer Lake Highlands, US
• Uthra Rajamani · Los Angeles, US
• Magdalena Kasendra · Boston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 4, 2024
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2025
• Expiry date: Apr 4, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2535/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.