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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: Microfluidics, Body-on-a-chip, Immune System, Drug Testing
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.
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.
The student working on this project will lean:
- Designing and optimizing microfluidic chips
- Basic microfabrication methods
- Basic and advanced cell culture methods (suspension, 2D and 3D)
- Optical and biochemical analysis methods of cells/microtissues
The student working on this project will lean: - Designing and optimizing microfluidic chips - Basic microfabrication methods - Basic and advanced cell culture methods (suspension, 2D and 3D) - Optical and biochemical analysis methods of cells/microtissues
Christian Lohasz | Christian.lohasz@bsse.ethz.ch | +41 61 387 3128
Christian Lohasz | Christian.lohasz@bsse.ethz.ch | +41 61 387 3128