TissueSense: integrated photonic and microscopy-based biosensing for continuous monitoring of tissue and cell function

The growing demand for human-relevant, non-destructive tools to monitor tissue function in real time has created a critical gap in drug development, biomanufacturing, and biodefense. TissueSense addresses this need as an integrated photonic biosensing platform that enables label-free, real-time monitoring of tissue physiology for applications in non-animal toxicity testing, bioproduction, and biosecurity. The system combines silicon nitride ring resonator-based photonic sensing with phase contrast microscopy to monitor cellular secretions and morphological changes in a multiplexed well-plate format. Spectral and image data are processed through a machine learning pipeline to quantify up to 18 distinct biomarkers, linking secreted molecular signatures to tissue structure and health — without the need for labels, reagents, or sample disruption. TissueSense has been used to model lung–brain barrier interactions under viral challenge and monitor stem cell differentiation in regenerative biomanufacturing. By providing continuous, in situ insight into tissue function, it enables real-time bioprocess monitoring and advances human-relevant drug development and biosecurity efforts.