Moscow, July 28 -- Russian scientists have created a microfluidic platform that replicates blood flow in the brain. It is capable of supporting the vital activity of glioblastoma cells, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer that is difficult to treat.

The researchers found that the device, when exposed to red light, stimulates the activity of ion channels in cells and enhances the penetration of temozolomide, one of the main drugs for treating this tumour, into them. "Ion channels work like pumps -- they pull molecules into the cell. Temozolomide needs to get into the nucleus to destroy the cancer cell. Red light increases the opening and closing of channels, the concentration of the drug in the cell grows faster, and the cell...