Research
Cells don’t exist in isolation, they are surrounded by a slew of information in the form of molecules that stem from their neighbouring cells, their environment, as well as from cells throughout the body via the circulation. In no tissue is this more true than the lung, where the surface epithelium is in such close relation to the external environment, a diversity of local cell types, and the immense pulmonary circulation. Through the design and application of next generation in-vitro microfluidics, we can now culture these cells in a 3D environment that truly emulates this same cellular environment. Studying chronic lung diseases within these models allows us to observe the true complexity of the processes underlying their development and progression. In this project,the responses to environmental and systemic factors of the airway cells in different stages of disease will be investigated using bespoke 3D microfluidics.
Keywords: COPD, Lung Epithelium, Microfluidics, 3D models
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One of our 2-chamber, Airway-on-Chip devices. Length 45mm, finger-tip for scale
2022 – de Cock-Hadders Stichting
2019 – “Best Question by a PhD” – NVMB Conference