Category Archives: News

Submit your Organ-on-Chip paper to Stem Cell Reports

As a result of the alliance with EUROoCS, Stem Cell Reports welcomes manuscripts on innovative studies incorporating stem cells or their derivatives into Organ-on-Chip and microphysiological systems. Topics include applications for functional genomics and disease modeling, and basic studies of cell interactions in tissue microenvironments during development or adult life, including the assessment of the influence of the physical environment on cell behavior. Submission To inquire about the suitability of a potential submission, please email stemcellreports@isscr.org. Authors who have never submitted a paper to Stem Cell Reports (SCR) need to register on the SCR website and follow the standard submission process. Please mention your...

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Utrecht University: new partner for hDMT

Per 1 January 2021 Utrecht University (UU) has joined hDMT as a new partner. The representatives in the hDMT Consortium Assembly are Bart Spee and Tina Vermonden. Utrecht University (UU) has an excellent research infrastructure in the area of human and animal measurement models, with strong expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, regenerative medicine, and Organ-on-Chip technology. The UU shares a multidisciplinary infrastructure and key technology platforms (e.g., organoids, biofabrication, EV, IPSC, gene-editing) and develops advanced and patient-specific disease models to translate relevant drug targets. The models are translated into novel regenerative therapies based on e.g., living cell-, organoid-, biomaterial- driven and biofabrication-...

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Berend van Meer member of hDMT Executive Board

From April 2021 Berend van Meer has been appointed as member of the hDMT Executive Board. Being microelectrical engineer by training (Delft University of Technology) and with a PhD in stem cell biology (Leiden University medical Center; LUMC), Berend feels comfortable both in the biological and technological domain – a useful combination for Organ-on-Chip. Now appointed at both the LUMC and University of Twente, he is researcher but also working on research valorisation. His focus on qualification and standardization strongly links to the activities of setting up hDMT INFRA for Dutch Organ-on-Chip Research & Valorisation infrastructure. Involved in multiple (inter)national research,...

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Researchers grow most lifelike woven bone yet starting from cells

Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology and Radboudumc have interwoven various bone cells into an ‘organoid’ that can independently make new, hard bone tissue. It’s the most complete 3D model of bone formation to date. The 3D model allows for the study of the key biochemical processes in unprecedented detail and could help in cracking the many mysteries surrounding bone formation. Moreover, the lab-grown bone is particularly suitable for testing and designing new treatments for bone diseases such as osteoporosis or osteogenesis imperfecta. Imagine using stem cells from your bone marrow to grow a new piece of your bone tissue...

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3Rs student grants 2021: call for submissions

The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) supports students and young scientists with outstanding work in the field of alternative approaches to attend a high-profile scientific event. Every year, several high-profile international meetings bring together world-class scientists working on the development and acceptance of 3R alternatives to animal testing (Replacement, Reduction or Refinement). Costs linked to participation may prevent students with promising work or young scientists at the beginning of their career from attending these events. The EPAA partners are therefore happy to sponsor the 3Rs student grants to facilitate the participation of students and young scientists in such...

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2021 edition of the ‘Putting Science into Standards’ (PSIS) workshop open for registration

The 2021 edition of the ‘Putting Science into Standards’ (PSIS) workshop will focus on Organ-on-Chip and is now open for registration. hDMT scientists are involved in the organization of the workshop as members of the Advisory Board. The 2021 PSIS edition will be focusing on Organ-on-Chip (OoC). This event aims to facilitate the exchange of views on the future development of this technology, its application areas and stakeholder needs in order to identify how European standardization can support its safe, widescale deployment, and by doing so also: • facilitate their implementation in the current and future regulatory framework; • support with reliable...

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The Organoid Cell Atlas project

Human organoids hold tremendous potential for biomedical applications. These three-dimensional structures of cultured cells recapitulate important aspects of in vivo organ development and biological function. They provide tractable in vitro models of human physiology and pathology, thereby enabling interventional studies that are difficult or impossible to conduct in human subjects. To demonstrate the feasibility and utility of combining human organoids with single-cell technology, the authors of the publication The Organoid Cell Atlas launched an Organoid Cell Atlas pilot project, as a ‘Biological Network’ within the Human Cell Atlas (HCA), focusing on the single-cell characterization of organoids and complex in vitro...

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New updated release available of Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction

Recently a new release of the book Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction by Christine Mummery, Anja van de Stolpe, Bernard Roelen and Hans Clevers, has been published. The book has updated chapters with new illustrations on Organs-on-Chip and Organoid models for understanding disease mechanisms and testing drugs as well as a general introduction to stem cells. Particularly suited for those just starting in the field or for teaching. The book Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction, Third Edition, provides a state-of-the-art overview of the field of stem cells and their current applications. The book incorporates the history and firsthand commentaries in...

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George Galaris joined LACDR and TNO to further 3D spheroid-based Liver-on-Chip research

In January 2021, George Galaris joined the Metabolic Health Research group at TNO, location Leiden, and the Division of Drug Discovery & Safety at Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) as a post-doctoral researcher. Previously, Galaris performed his PhD studies at Leiden University Medical Centre (Nephrology Department) in the group of Franck Lebrin where he utilized mouse models and embryonic stem cell-based tools to study the mechanisms of a genetic vascular disease called Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Within the hDMT consortium, he will be involved in a multidisciplinary and collaborative project about developing a perfused 3D spheroid-based Liver-on-Chip model...

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€ 4.8 million grant for revolutionary modular and standardized SMART OoC platform

NWO has awarded the prestigious Perspectief grant to a multidisciplinary team of 10 researchers affiliated with hDMT. The € 4.8 million grant makes it possible to take the next much needed step in Organ-on-Chip (OoC) technology: a standardized docking plate with microfluidics and electronics where technical and tissue chips are clicked in as needed – together: the SMART OoC. Uniquely, the tissues also contain their microenvironment, enabling modeling of fibrosis. Fibrosis is a common, disruptive disease that is a complicating factor in many organ diseases. Schematic representation of the SMART OoC, with one tissue chip of skin and hair and...

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