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Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613930149380096 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan |
| author2 | Perold, W. J. |
| author_browse | Perold, W. J. Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan |
| author_facet | Perold, W. J. Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan |
| author_sort | Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135891 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:57.787Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135891 Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan Perold, W. J. Rambharose, S. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Rouhani, T. I. 2026. Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/7c27b263-52be-4b3a-8ccf-b89749f4ea2e The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) acts as a selective barrier for the Central Nervous System (CNS), protecting the brain from toxins but also hindering the delivery of therapeutic drugs for treating CNS diseases. One of the major challenges in drug development is the lack of reliable, high-throughput in vitro models that can accurately replicate the environment of the BBB while allowing for real-time monitoring. The current research method to address this problem is to develop integrated platforms that combine dynamic flow with non-invasive monitoring techniques such as Transepithelial/Endothelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) to monitor barrier integrity. This project aimed to develop a multi-channel TEER measuring system that could interface with both static transwell models and custom microfluidic devices with the aim of creating a dynamic testing platform for drug permeability studies. To achieve this, a microfluidic device with integrated electrodes and a custom syringe pump system were developed to create flow conditions on both the apical and basolateral sides of the microfluidic device. A TEER measuring device was designed using S TM32F303K8 and ESP32 microcontrollers to perform 4-point probe measurements and log data via the internet. The microfluidic chips were fabricated using high-resolution resin 3D printing and integrated ENEPIG-coated electrodes for biocompatibility to allow for real-time, continuous monitoring. A syringe pump system was designed to deliver a precise flow rate of 12.88 μL/min to create a shear stress of 0.1497 dyn/cm2. The TEER measuring system was calibrated against precise resistor values measured by the Agilent 34401A multimeter and biologically validated using a co-culture BBB model of astrocytes and HUVEC cells. The TEER device demonstrated high accuracy, with a maximum error of only 0.1% for resistances above 12.5 Ω, and successfully monitored the formation and fluctuation of the cellular barrier over a 24-hour period. This research project was successful in developing a comprehensive system for the continuous, real-time assessment of BBB model integrity in a laboratory setting. Masters 2026-04-14T10:08:56Z 2026-04-14T10:08:56Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135891 en Stellenbosch University 187 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Rouhani, Tariq Ihsan Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title | Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title_full | Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title_fullStr | Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title_short | Development of an Integrated Microfluidic and TEER Measurement System for Static and Dynamic Blood–Brain Barrier Models |
| title_sort | development of an integrated microfluidic and teer measurement system for static and dynamic blood brain barrier models |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135891 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rouhanitariqihsan developmentofanintegratedmicrofluidicandteermeasurementsystemforstaticanddynamicbloodbrainbarriermodels |