133106Next generation growth factors for organoid-driven precision medicineClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKOne of the most exciting developments in biological research is the development of miniature three-dimensional structures that mimic mammalian organs such as gut, pancreas, lung and, in the case of cancer, tumours. These so-called organoids allow us to study the structure, development and function of these organs in highly controlled environment and most importantly, without the need to use animals. Organoids are likely to revolutionise drug development by providing a platform in which to test the efficacy and possible toxicity of new drugs and they facilitate the development and modelling of individualised therapies. One of the critical factors in growing organoids is the use of a precise cocktail of specific proteins, growth factors and cytokines, to mimic the micro-environment in the body. These proteins are hard to make, expensive and their use is often limited by variable quality and commercial availability. We have expertise in developing variant forms of these proteins using structure-guided protein engineering to optimise the biological properties, production process and quality of these growth factors. Here, we will use our expertise to improve those growth factors critical for organoid culture. We will ensure the quality of our products by defining strict criteria for their evaluation and ensure they are formulated in the most effective way for routine use. The results of this project will establish UK-based manufacturing of critical components for the emerging field of precision medicine.