This technology presents a research tool to allow the in vitro study of cells in an environment of varying concentration gradients of multiple chemicals that influence cell function. Although it is well accepted that cells respond to chemical gradients, how they respond is not well understood. For example, in some cases the absolute concentration may illicit a cellular response, while in others, it may be the steepness of the gradient, without regard to concentration. Additionally, while it is known that exposure to environmental toxins may predispose a person to disease, the specifics such as dosage time, concentration, and most importantly what specific combination of toxins are required to induce a specific pathology remain unknown. Individual gene variations may also dictate susceptibility to toxin exposures, thereby adding additional complexity.
The high throughput combinatorial strategy created by this technology allows cost and time effective correlation studies to assess the complex interdependency of toxins, pollutants and/or bioagents.
US PATENT APPLICATION 20120135446