Project

Organoplate

In vitro modelling of tissues and organs is reaching new levels of complexity. In this project, the researchers aim to combine the strengths of developments in organoid culturing and on-a-chip technologies to generate organ-on-a-chip models.

The project will concentrate on porcine models, as porcine intestinal, endothelium and airway organoids are available through the Animal Sciences Group of Wageningen University & Research. The organoplate model will be used to to maximimise the potential of the successful development of on-a-chip models for intestines, endothelia and airways. The researchers will thoroughly verify the models in order to make them available to the Animal Sciences Group, the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group, as well as other research groups. On top of this, the porcine showcases will be able to be used as a template for similar models for other species.

The researchers believe that their model can support many research topics and enhance collaboration and synergy in research questions, for example to investigate cellular communication, nutritional impact, disease models (bacterial, viral or parasitic), co-culture with facultative aerobe microbiota or to analyse intestinal-to-blood absorption and immune cell influx, efflux and responses.

Schematic overview of the Organoplate model
Schematic overview of the Organoplate model