Jan Víteček, Mgr., Ph.D.

Eva Šafaříková, Mgr.

Marek Černík, Mgr.

Sandra Thalerová, Mgr.

Veronika Schildová, Bc.

Patrícia Kittová, Bc.

Michaela Pešková, Bc.

Organic electronics in biological applications

Acute cardiotoxicity is a serious problem in modern drug development. A cell-based biosensor can reveal drug candidates, showing acute cardiotoxicity before they enter the animal testing phase. The option of organic semiconductors enables us to develop a low-cost disposable sensor with and excellent conductive biointerface. On the other hand, the organic electronic devices can be used in the opposite manner. They can manipulate the cell/tissue physiology. Their advantageous biointerface features allow for the development of versatile cell/tissue electro-stimulators. This project covers a broad range of fundamental aspects, central to the interaction of cells with and organic semiconductor surface. We are cooperating with the group of prof. Weiter at BUT Brno.

Organic electrochemical transistor based sensor prototype (A) and syncytium of beating cardiomyocytes in this sensor (B). Source (s) and drain (d) electrodes made out of a conductive organic polymer – PEDOT:PSS are indicated.

Vasculature modeling

Vasculature is of extreme importance for maintenance of homeostasis throughout the whole body. Indeed, cardiovascular diseases are charged with the highest mortality burden in developed countries. Our focus is the connection between the onset of vascular inflammation, blood flow patterns and intrinsic biochemical modulators. Furthermore, we are interested in the biochemical mechanisms of ischemic stroke resolution and improvement of ischemic stroke treatment. To understand many aspects of these phenomena, we are capitalizing on in vitro vasculature models. Fluidic models which range from simple chips with straight channels, to realistic, 3D patient data-based models are being optimized and utilized. To better understand aspects of ischemic stroke, static as well as fluidic models of thrombolysis have been introduced.

Microfluidic chip with circular cross-sectional channels to study pro-inflammatory events in endothelium cells under flow conditions (A) and; a 2.5D model of brain vasculature to study vessel recanalization under thrombolytic treatment (B).