Dr. Kempuraj Duraisamy’s Brain-on-a-Chip Research Advancing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Studies
Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor/Director Laboratory at the Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as the Associate Director in the Center of Excellence for Neuroinflammation Research (CENIR) in the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine (INIM). Dr. Duraisamy is an expert in neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative diseases (AD, PD), neurotrauma/traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurovascular pathologies, neurotherapeutics, and mast cells. He has published over 175 research articles and presented over 300 abstracts/posters at conferences, with research methods often utilizing human brains/plasma/serum, various animal models, and invitro cell culture models for neurodegenerative diseases. His h-index is 61 with 13,405 total citations in other journals. He has been placed in the top 0.5% of all scholars worldwide according to the most recent 2024 Scholar GPS ranking, and lifetime top scholar ranking # 66 on mast cells worldwide. He supervises all aspects of the proposed work, supervises students, collaborates with Co-Is, conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares reports and manuscripts.
Tell me briefly about your recent grant-funded project(s).
Title of the Project: Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier on-a-chip for Alzheimer’s Disease
This study is funded by Nova Southeastern University through the President’s Research Grant (PRG) award. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-relevant beta amyloid (Aβ), phospho tau, fibrillar tau, and AD plasma on neuronal activity as measured by AXION BioSystems. We have started developing a blood-brain barrier model (BBB on a chip) using AXION Biosystems and iPSC-derived brain/neurovascular unit cells. We have also obtained a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with NIH NeuroBioBank/Harvard University’s Brain Bank to receive brain tissues for this study, and IRB approval is underway through NSU. We expect that the proposed study will demonstrate how AD-associated components of plaques and tangles affect neuronal activity and highlight neuroinflammatory mechanisms and BBB dysfunction.
Title of the Project: Human dopaminergic neurons and microglia midbrain organoid culture models for Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Kempuraj serves as a Co-I with the PI, Dr. Theoharides, in this research project. This study is funded by the Gateway Institute for Brain Research. The goal of this project is to create a neuroimmune human “brain-on-a-chip” model organoid for Parkinson’s disease (PD). We expect that this study could identify mechanisms valuable for diagnostic screening or provide novel targets for the development of new effective treatments for PD. A pilot Phase I clinical study using nobiletin in patients with early PD is targeted as the next step to this proposed study.
Who is working with you on this project?
Co-Investigators working in this project are Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides, Ph.D., MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Immunology, Clear Water, and Director of the Center of Excellence for Neuroinflammation Research at Davie; Dr. Naushira Pandya, MD, CMD, FACP, Professor and Chair, Department of Geriatrics at K.P.C.O.M, and Dr. Baskaran Chinnappan, Ph.D, Associate Research Scientist in INIM. There are 5 medical and undergraduate students currently assisting with this and other projects.
What opportunities and/or benefits does this grant bring to the NSU community?
The proposed study is a cutting-edge “neuroinflammation and BBB-on-a-chip” model based on microfluidics technology, which will be valuable for investigating the mechanisms of AD and TBI pathogenesis. The results from this study will provide preliminary supportive evidence to apply for larger federal grant applications. Expected findings could also be followed by mechanistic studies that lead to pilot clinical trials. This will ultimately lead to screening potential disease-specific therapeutic agents. We aim to drive revenue for the university through federally funded grants as well as the publication of research articles. In addition, the students, scientists, and faculty involved in this project will receive authorship for conference abstracts and scientific manuscript publications in neuroscience journals. I have been working on TBI and AD for a long time and have contributed significant publications in the field alongside students and collaborators. This PRG grant award helps to establish specific TBI and AD research at the KPCOM/NSU through larger grants.
How does this project connect with your other work at NSU?
I am an expert in the neurovascular unit and blood-brain barrier in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, PD, and TBI, as well as in neuroimmune disorders such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). I investigate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in these diseases with significant publications in this field. This PRG project aims to develop the “BBB-on-a-chip” platform to understand the disease mechanism and treatment options for AD. This is relevant to our other ongoing project in PD, which aims to develop a brain organoid on a chip for the study of deeper disease mechanisms and treatment options for PD. Additionally, I am also working on developing a “skin-on-a-chip” platform for PD.
How has NSU helped you pursue and/or achieve personal and professional goals you have set for yourself?
My long-term goal is to understand the disease mechanism of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases and develop effective treatment options, as there are no curative therapies currently. Both Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and Allopathic Medical College at the NSU jointly provided funding for us to purchase the state-of-the-art AXION BioSystems Maestro Edge and NETRI NeoBento TriaLink microfluidic multielectrode array (MEA) systems to examine the brain on a chip models and evaluate neuronal health in various brain diseases such as AD, PD, TBI, ME/CFS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and autism while promoting collaboration between these two medical college investigators.
What advice do you have for other grant seekers at NSU?
Real dedication to research will improve human health and lifestyle through a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of effective therapeutic options, as there is no curative medicine for many diseases, especially neurological diseases.
What is the next grant proposal or project on your agenda?
The following two proposals have recently been submitted to the funding agency.
Title: Neuroinflammation and Blood-brain barrier on-a-chip for Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis- Submitted in June 2025. PI: Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph.D. Co-I: Theoharides, Ph.D. M.D.
Title: Brain and Skin Mast Cells in Patients with Parkinson’s disease – Submitted in August 2025.
PI: Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph.D., Co-Is: Dr. Theoharides, Ph.D., M.D., Dr. Klimas, M.D.
The following grant application is under preparation to be submitted soon.
Title: Environmental Toxins on the Brain and Skin Multi-Electrode Array Chip Platform for Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis: Role of Brain and Skin Mast Cells- In Preparation for submission in September 2025. PI: Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph. D, Co-I Dr. Theoharides, Ph.D., MD.
