A groundbreaking biomedical engineering advance led in part by researchers at the University of Delaware is poised to transform how scientists study and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), offering new hope for improved treatments and women’s health outcomes worldwide.
At the center of the innovation is a first-of-its-kind immune-capable “cervix-on-a-chip”—a sophisticated microphysiological system that replicates the human cervical environment with unprecedented realism. The research, published in Science Advances, brings together expertise in engineering, microbiology and immunology to model how infections develop and spread.
The University of Delaware’s College of Engineering played a leading role in designing and building the system. Co-lead author Jason Gleghorn, associate professor of biomedical engineering, led the model’s development—highlighting the critical role of engineering innovation in tackling complex health challenges.
“A key goal was to develop a complex model system that is both practical andaccessible, enabling researchers outside of bioengineering labs to adopt it and apply it to answer important biological questions,” said Gleghorn.
Unlike traditional lab methods that rely on simplified cell cultures or animal models, the cervix-on-a-chip integrates human cervical cells, immune cells, and naturally occurring microbiomes within a dynamic, fluid-flow environment. This allows researchers to simulate real biological conditions and observe how infections behave inside the human body.
These insights open the door to new prevention strategies, including probiotics and live biotherapeutics designed to strengthen the body’s natural defenses before infection occurs.
The project brought together researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, the University of Delaware, and the University of Virginia—demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary collaboration.
For the University of Delaware, the work highlights the growing impact of its engineering research enterprise. The College of Engineering conducts more than $130 million in annual research and is a leader in areas ranging from biomedical innovation to artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
