# Microfluidic Technology for Concurrent Assessment of Red Blood Cell Adhesion and Deformability

> **NIH NIH R42** · BIOCHIP LABS, INC. · 2022 · $259,611

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Deformability and non-adherence are the most intrinsic biorheological properties of red blood cells (RBCs), as
they play a critical role in modulating RBC perfusion through the microvasculature. In acquired or inherited blood
disorders, such as sickle cell disease (SCD), these two interrelated properties are pathologically altered. SCD is
an autosomal recessive disorder associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in its afflicted populations.
In SCD, RBCs undergo radical morphological and structural transformations leading to decreased deformability
and increased adhesiveness, which further trigger vascular complications and a number of co-morbidities
including painful crises, stroke, acute chest syndrome, and organ failure. OcclusionChip is a novel standardized
in vitro microfluidic assay to measure microvascular occlusion mediated by RBCs in a wide range of clinical conditions.
The unique design embodies the two key features of the capillary bed: a gradient of microcapillary networks and side
passageways mimicking the arteriovenous anastomoses. Occlusion Index, measured by the OcclusionChip assay,
may serve as a new standard parameter to evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatments improving red blood cell
adhesion and deformability, such as hemoglobin modifying drugs, anti-sickling agents, and emerging genetic
therapies. The objective of this STTR Phase I/II Fast-Track project is to translate and commercialize novel
OcclusionChip microfluidic technology as a standardized and validated companion diagnostic assay for SCD.
In Phase I, we propose to streamline the manufacturing process with a third-party manufacturer and establish
quality control strategy.
In Phase II, we propose to contract manufacture a large number of devices (1000), establish analytical validation
and clinical validation relative to conventional, targeted, or curative therapies in SCD.
Our goal is to establish the manufacturability, analytical validation, and clinical utility of the OcclusionChip in
providing comprehensive functional characterization of red cell biorheological properties and assessment of
patient-specific response to emerging targeted and curative therapies in SCD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10384175
- **Project number:** 1R42HL162214-01
- **Recipient organization:** BIOCHIP LABS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Chiara Federici
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $259,611
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10384175

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10384175, Microfluidic Technology for Concurrent Assessment of Red Blood Cell Adhesion and Deformability (1R42HL162214-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10384175. Licensed CC0.

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