Researchers Recreate Pulmonary Edema in Microchips

Wyss Institute researchers at Harvard have managed to recreate pulmonary edema in microchips that are built using living cells and can mimic the functioning of organs, in this case the lungs, leading to hopes that the chips can be used to lower the costs associated with drug development.

The researchers had earlier developed the lung-on-a-chip model back in 2010 by making use of a flexible polymer material filled with hollow channels. The device is a size of a memory stick and each channel is made up of a permeable membrane lined with human lung cells on one side and tiny blood vessel cells on the other.

Experts hope that further development of the chips may lead to their use in research, which will not only reduce the dependency on animal trials, but also avoid high costs of drug development by identifying potential health problems associated with the drug even before clinical trials.

Source: Medindia

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD includes respiratory tract disorders that cause obstruction to airflow. These are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airway disease.

Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots develop usually in the deep veins of the legs. Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when these clots break away and block the pulmonary artery.

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complication that results from a block in the main artery supplying the lungs

Altitude Sickness

Travellers and adventure seekers who climb or fly to high altitudes often experience severe headaches, nausea & other symptoms. Find out why they occur & how to treat & prevent altitude sickness.

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary edema or fluid in the lungs is caused by congestive heart failure and several other conditions, including pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins etc.