Working with scientists at the University of Virginia, the researchers are building a bioengineered model of a human lymph node, which performs essential roles in the immune system throughout the body.

The goal of the research, which published in April in APL Bioengineering, is to provide scientists with a model that accurately mirrors dynamic fluid flow—a natural part of how lymph nodes work.

The model functions like a lymph node-on-a-chip, recreating aspects of the human lymph node environment—including fluid flow and cellular interactions—to study immune behavior outside the body.

Developing laboratory models is critical to better investigate immune system responses and test new treatments outside of the body