A Game-Changer in Medical Research: Lattice Device Bridges Gap Between Animal Testing and Clinical Trials.
In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Northwestern University have introduced the Lattice device, a game-changing innovation in drug development. This compact device, no larger than a small shoebox, has the remarkable capability to simulate up to eight organs simultaneously, paving the way for faster, safer, and more efficient drug development processes.
The Lattice device features eight wells filled with simulated blood, or “media,” each interconnected by channels that can be opened or closed using a computer interface. Researchers have the freedom to introduce various elements into these wells, including tissue samples, diseased cells, and candidate drugs. The ability to manipulate the flow of media between these wells allows for the study of complex interactions between these components.
The Lattice device has the potential to revolutionize drug development by serving as an intermediary step between animal studies and clinical trials. This innovative approach holds the promise of reducing the number of clinical trials destined to fail, thereby saving time and resources. With the ability to maintain tissue samples’ viability for up to 28 days, longer than traditional petri dish methods, the Lattice device provides researchers with a more realistic and informative environment.
The significance of the Lattice device lies in its capacity to deepen our understanding of diseases and identify medications that are likely to be both safe and effective in human trials. It is, in essence, the closest we can come to recreating the human body outside of the human body itself. This revolutionary technology empowers researchers to test drugs that have already passed animal studies, offering crucial insights into their safety and efficacy on human tissues before proceeding to costly and time-consuming clinical trials.
The journey of the Lattice device, from a concept in Northwestern University’s laboratories to a potential game-changer in drug development, is a testament to the transformative power of technology in the field of medical research. This innovative device has the potential to reshape the landscape of drug development, ultimately leading to more effective treatments and better outcomes for patients worldwide.
The collaborative spirit that fuels projects like the Lattice device is vital for the future of medical research. As we witness the profound impact of this breakthrough technology, it becomes increasingly clear that the fusion of cutting-edge innovation and collective efforts holds the key to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare.
Resources:
1.https://www.freethink.com/health/drug-development
4.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231003173439.htm