Device Analyzes Metabolism of Pro-Drugs Within the Liver (IMAGE)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Device Analyzes Metabolism of Pro-Drugs Within the Liver

Caption

A microfabricated device developed by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine is able to analyze the effects of pro-drugs -- substances transformed within the liver into therapeutic agents -- on cancer cells. The two-chamber microscale platform enables the culture of liver cells called hepatocytes and tumor cells in close proximity and in small amounts of supportive media. The microscale environment leads to the rapid accumulation of greater quantities of the desired metabolite and detection of its toxic effect on cancer cells.

Credit

Courtesy of Shyam Sundhar Bale, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine

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