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
Click on image to enlarge
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