AMIO

Despite intensive efforts to develop suitable in vitro models, many of the problems could not be solved with conventional cell culture systems. This is partly due to the fact that there is neither physiological perfusion nor an organ-like cell arrangement. The present project will therefore demonstrate how perfusion and physiological tissue structures can be realized by means of microfluidic platforms. The microfluidic platform will be tested with novel artificial microorgans. This cell culture approach differs fundamentally from existing systems in that it has important, in vivo similar properties such as physiological flow through the cell culture, organ-specific cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and controlled 3D arrangement of cells. First feasibility studies with liver-like microorgans show a significantly improved in vivo relevance of the results compared to existing cell models.