New technology at The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre

The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre (JvGCRC) has recently acquired Emulate’s Organ-Chip technology, which will enable our researchers to recreate human biology within a microphysiological environment.

Emulate’s Organ-Chip technology

Organs-on-Chip systems have attracted substantial interest in recent years owing to their potential to provide insights into normal human organ function, and more accurately predict the safety and effectiveness of investigational drugs in humans. Organs-on-Chip systems are cell culture devices that are the size of a memory stick and can simulate the three-dimensional interactions between cells in the living human organ. They enhance scientific precision, true-to-life biology, and predictive power beyond that of conventional cell culture, animal-based models, or other microphysiological systems.

Thanks to this new and impactful technology, our researchers will also be able to take new validated approaches in addressing biological and biomedical questions in disparate fields, including Cancer and Cancer Immunology, Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Microbiome, Neuroscience and Toxicology.

Dr Maria Hatziapostolou

Dedicated cancer researcher Dr Maria Hatziapostolou, who will be leading the Organs-on-Chip facility at the JvGCRC, told us: “Our research will enter the modern era with the use of sophisticated highly sought-after approaches. This technology not only gives us the unique ability to address clinically relevant research questions within the context of very complex tissue systems, but also makes us competitive in the field of 3Rs (Replacement, Refinement and Reduction) by allowing researchers to be less dependent on the use of animals for drug development.”

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Published on 6 April 2023