Multi-component in vitro system to deduce cell signaling pathways by electronic stimulation patterns

Abstract

Disclosed herein are cell culture analog devices, systems and methods for applying stimuli to components containing different cell types and recording the cell responses before, during, and after a stimulus (for example, a drug, metabolite, toxin, or electrical stimulus) is introduced. Responses can be stored to a database and compared to previous results. By analyzing how each cell type responds to various stimulation parameters, for example, by using multivariate analyses, cell signaling pathway information can be determined or new pathways can be discovered. In some implementations, an individual component interfaces with a specific cell type. This facilitates readout of the cell response to the stimulation. Various components can also interface with each other, such that the behavior of one cell type can affect a cell type in another component. Once assembled, the system is plugged into readout electronics and a programmable electrical stimulator.