Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for measuring an electropharyngeogram (EPG) in living organisms. In some embodiments, the devices and systems disclosed herein include an array for sorting and immobilizing an organism (such as a nematode) for measurement of an EPG and/or optical imaging. Also disclosed are methods for identifying therapeutic or toxic compounds utilizing the disclosed devices and systems. In some embodiments, the methods include screening for compounds with anthelmintic activity, toxicity (for example HERG channel blockers), or candidate drugs for treatment of a variety of human and/or animal diseases.

A method of assessing an anti-cancer drug including culturing a cell structure including cancer cells and stromal cells in a presence of at least one anti-cancer drug, and assessing an anti-cancer effect of the at least one anti-cancer drug based on a number of viable cancer cells in the cell structure after the culturing.

Described herein are compositions and methods useful for isolating compositions that repel insects, including mosquitoes.

A method of modulating hygrosensing and/or thermosensing in an animal, particularly, an insect or disease vector, is provided. Also provided is a method of reducing survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, particularly an insect or disease vector. The methods involve an effective amount of an agent that modulates the activity and/or expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of an ionotropic receptor (Ir) selected from one or more of Ir25a, Ir93a, Ir40a, Ir68a, or Ir21a. A method of identifying an agent that modulates survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, e.g., an insect, is further provided.

Provided is a test plate with which a test can be carried out in a simple manner and problems that may otherwise occur along with the lapse of time hardly occur. This invention provides a nematode trap plate (1) including: a container (10); and a solid medium (11) formed in the container (10), the solid medium (11) allowing nematodes to move over its surface, and the surface of the solid medium (11) having at least one fall-in cavity (2a) for catching nematodes.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for predicting the proangiogenic activity of preparations of extracellular vesicles (EVs), preferably blood-derived EVs, wherein the method is based on the combined determination of the content of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and microRNA-130a. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a preparation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) predicted to have strong proangiogenic activity and the EVs preparations thereof, which are effective for the therapeutic treatment of ischemic diseases, ischemic injuries and pathological conditions associated with risk of cardiovascular disease, or for use in wound healing.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for screening pesticides. In particular, provided herein are Bt resistant corn earworms, methods of generating such earworms, and the use of such earworms in screening applications.

The present invention includes a system and method for analyzing animals including: a media reservoir and a media pump in fluid communication with the media reservoir; a food reservoir and a food pump in fluid communication with the food reservoir; an input port in fluid communication with the media pump and the food pump; a microfluidic device in fluid communication with the input port including: a micropillar arena or a plurality of micropillar chambers; an outlet port in fluid communication with the microfluidic device; a light source positioned outside the micropillar arena to illuminate the interior of the micropillar arena; an imager positioned outside the micropillar arena to image the interior of the micropillar arena; and a controller coupled to the media pump, the food pump, the microfluidic device, the light source, and the imager.

A microfluidic device capable of trapping contents in a manner suitable for high-throughput imaging is described herein. The microfluidic device may include one or more trapping devices, with each trapping device having a plurality of trapping channels. The trapping channels may be configured to receive contents via an inlet channel that connects a sample reservoir to the trapping channels via fluid communication. The trapping channels are shaped such that contents within the trapping channels are positioned for optimal imaging purposes. The trapping channels are also connect to at least one exit channel via fluid communication. The fluid, and contents within the fluid, may be controlled via hydraulic pressure.

The present invention relates to a milbemycin for use in control, treatment and/or prevention of infections with nematodes, preferably filariae, more preferably Dirofilaria immitis which are resistant to at least one other macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic. The present invention further relates to the use of milbemycins for stimulating attachment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to larvae of nematodes, as well as to a method for stimulating attachment of PMNs and/or PBMCs to larvae of nematodes. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro assay for determining and/or characterizing an agent for control, treatment and/or prevention of an infection with nematodes.