Monitoring transient cell-to-cell interactions in a multi-layered and multi-functional allergy-on-a-chip system.

We have developed a highly integrated lab-on-a-chip containing embedded electrical microsensors, μdegassers and pneumatically-actuated micropumps to monitor allergic hypersensitivity. Rapid antigen-mediated histamine release (e.g. s to min) and resulting muscle contraction (<30 min) is detected by connecting an immune compartment containing sensitized basophile cells to a vascular co-culture model.