Population-In-A-Dish
Functional Cell-Based Assays to Model Human Diversity
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Understanding population-wide responses to drugs and environmental toxicants is complicated by the inherent genetic diversity of individuals, compounded by age-related changes and other non-genetic factors such as prior exposures. Traditional models often fail to capture this complexity, limiting their predictive value for human health.
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Our pioneering approach overcomes this limitation by using donor-specific human cells tested under standardized in vitro conditions. This method enables controlled, reproducible assessments of inter-individual variability in response to pharmacological agents and toxicants. By modeling population diversity at the cellular level, we provide a powerful platform for predicting differential sensitivity to drugs and environmental factors, identifying vulnerable subpopulations, and supporting personalized risk assessment and precision medicine.
Cell-Based Microvascular Toxicology
Cell-Based Microvascular Toxicology
Using our patented method (US20150355164 A1), we have developed an assay platform to evaluate how drugs and environmental toxicants affect Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs), also known as Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells (ECFCs) — a critical type of progenitor cells, essential for wound healing, vascular bed repair, and overall cardiovascular health.
EPCs/ECFCs can be isolated from individual blood samples and tested in vitro. Impairment of these cells may signal a donor’s increased vulnerability to specific compounds, enabling a personalized and predictive approach to vascular toxicity screening and risk assessment.
Individual Radiation Sensitivity
Endothelial Progenitor Cells:
Natural Sensors of Low-Dose Radiation Sensitivity
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We have invented and developed an assay platform employing donor-specific endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), also known as endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), to assess individual sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR).
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EPCs/ECFCs play a critical role in tissue repair, and their impairment may signal heightened vulnerability to radiation-induced damage. Our in vitro method correlates functional response of blood-derived EPCs to low-dose radiation with individual IR sensitivity, enabling personalized risk assessment and the discovery of novel radioprotective agents.
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This technology has significant implications for high-risk populations exposed to radiation, including:
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Spaceflight crews, where exposure to cosmic radiation is a major health concern. Our platform can help screen for individual sensitivity and evaluate radioprotective strategies to maintain vascular integrity during long-duration missions.
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First responders in nuclear or radiological emergencies, by identifying individuals at higher risk of radiation-induced vascular injury and guiding protective measures.
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Military personnel, particularly those deployed in nuclear environments or combat zones with radiological threats, by informing personalized protection plans and enabling rapid evaluation of radioprotective compounds.