ORCID

0000-0001-9583-6676

Keywords

microphysiological systems, multi-organ, neuron, drug testing, disease modeling

Abstract

Microphysiological systems are a rapidly growing field of research for modeling of physiological processes and disease in an in vitro environment. The translatability and cost effectiveness of these platforms make them a valuable tool for drug discovery, allowing investigation of both efficacy and off-target toxicity either as a replacement or supplement to traditional animal models. Neurological disorders in particular are often difficult to emulate in an animal model, making the development of these models a highly useful area of research for both elucidation of brain function, as well as neurological disorders. Taking these models and integrating them into a multi-organ platform consisting of multiple interconnected organ models creates a valuable technology that can offer a comprehensive analysis of drug effects on the human body as a whole. The work presented here demonstrates the development of individual neuronal models, peripheral and nociceptive, as well as incorporation of a neuronal MPS into a multi-organ platform to investigate efficacy and off-target toxicity in a model of opioid overdose.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Guo, Xiufang

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Nanoscience Technology Center

Identifier

DP0029367

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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