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Body-on-a-chip: Adding the immune system to an organ-on-a-chip
Using the body-on-a-chip approach, a drug testing system that combines functional organ models with the immune system will be developed. The testing system will then be applied to test the efficacy and/or toxicity of immunotherapeutics.
Keywords: Organ-on-a-chip
Immunotherapy
Microfluidics
Cell culture
3D Microtissues
Spheroids
Body-on-a-chip systems are promising tools to investigate drug effects on one or multiple organs of the human body. A major remaining challenge, however, is the incorporation of a functional immune system comprising multiple, freely flowing cell types into such systems. We previously published different chip systems that can combine multiple 3D microtissue types and that are operated by gravity-driven perfusion [1, 2]. Gravity-driven perfusion enables parallelized and robust operation of microfluidic chips without the need of external tubing and pumps. Based on the concept of gravity-driven perfusion, a new chip system will be developed that is capable of (i) culturing immune cells in suspension, and (ii) bringing these cells into contact with 3D microtissues.
[1] Kim, J.Y., et al., 96-well format-based microfluidic platform for parallel interconnection of multiple multicellular spheroids. J Lab Autom, 2015.
[2] Lohasz, C., et al., Predicting Metabolism-Related Drug-Drug Interactions Using a Microphysiological Multitissue System. Adv Biosyst, 2020.
Body-on-a-chip systems are promising tools to investigate drug effects on one or multiple organs of the human body. A major remaining challenge, however, is the incorporation of a functional immune system comprising multiple, freely flowing cell types into such systems. We previously published different chip systems that can combine multiple 3D microtissue types and that are operated by gravity-driven perfusion [1, 2]. Gravity-driven perfusion enables parallelized and robust operation of microfluidic chips without the need of external tubing and pumps. Based on the concept of gravity-driven perfusion, a new chip system will be developed that is capable of (i) culturing immune cells in suspension, and (ii) bringing these cells into contact with 3D microtissues.
[1] Kim, J.Y., et al., 96-well format-based microfluidic platform for parallel interconnection of multiple multicellular spheroids. J Lab Autom, 2015. [2] Lohasz, C., et al., Predicting Metabolism-Related Drug-Drug Interactions Using a Microphysiological Multitissue System. Adv Biosyst, 2020.
Goal of the project is the characterization of different chip designs and operation parameters on the cell culture conditions. After successful implementation of the chip platform, interaction studies of immune cells with solid tissues will be performed
**You will learn:**
- Basic plastic microfabrication methods (Laser-cutting, CNC-milling)
- Basic and advanced cell culture methods (suspension, 2D and 3D)
- Optical and biochemical analysis methods of cells/microtissues
- FACS analysis of suspension cell cultures
**Desirable skills**
- Basic cell culture
- Basic microscopy
- Lab benchwork experience
- Basic understanding of immunology/cancer biology
Goal of the project is the characterization of different chip designs and operation parameters on the cell culture conditions. After successful implementation of the chip platform, interaction studies of immune cells with solid tissues will be performed
**You will learn:** - Basic plastic microfabrication methods (Laser-cutting, CNC-milling) - Basic and advanced cell culture methods (suspension, 2D and 3D) - Optical and biochemical analysis methods of cells/microtissues - FACS analysis of suspension cell cultures