Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop RheometerJason A. Wykoff 1, Kendall M. Shaffer 1, Kenza C. Araba 1, Matthew R. Markovetz 1, Jérémy Patarin 2, Matthieu Robert de Saint Vincent 2, Scott H. Donaldson 1,3, Camille Ehre 1,4
1Marsico Lung Institute / CF Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2Rheonova, 3Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4Department of Pediatric, Pediatric Pulmonology Division, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The viscoelastic properties of mucus play a critical role in mucociliary clearance. However, traditional mucus rheological techniques require complex and time-consuming approaches. This study provides a detailed protocol for the use of a benchtop rheometer that can rapidly and reliably perform viscoelastic measurements.