3D conducting polymer devices for hosting and monitoring human gut models with integrated fluidics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
Organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies have the potential to revolutionise the drug testing and toxicology industries, not just by stream-lining early stages of pre-clinical testing and reducing costly (and sometimes irrelevant) experimentation on animals, but also by offering real hope for personalised medicine. Despite this promise, current OoC models fail to fully capture human physiological complexity and suffer from lack of integration of monitoring technology into the platforms. Recent progress in the IMBIBE ERC consolidator project has shown that 3D porous electrodes can be used to host and monitor tissues representative of the human gut. These devices are capable of hosting multi-cellular models of the human gut, including microbiota, now shown to be an integral part of human biology, particularly in the gut. Cells, human and microbe, are hosted within a sponge-like electrode that mimics the in vivo environment. As they grow, cells are dynamically monitored by the electrode, whose electrical properties change due to cell attachment and tissue differentiation. We have established a collaboration with CN Bio Innovations, a leading bioengineering company specialising in single and multi-organ OoC platforms and innovative lab technologies, to adapt our device to their state of the art fluidic platform. The PhysioMimix Organ-on-Chip (PMX-OOC) developed by CN Bio is a flexible and simple to use OoC system which uses a range of different multi-well consumable plates to develop single and multi-organ in vitro models. The result will be a sophisticated bioelectronic device capable of hosting and monitoring a complex human model of the gut (under flow conditions). We anticipate that the result will be a predictive, accurate and high throughput platform which will be very attractive to the pharmaceutical industry for cost-effective and efficient drug discovery, toxicity testing, post market surveillance and development of live biotherapeutics.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Roisin Owens (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We showed proof of principle that our novel device was compatible with an existing commercial platform for organ on chip work. We used the CN Bio platform which hosts cells in more biologically relevant environments and replaced a normal lab consumable with our patented electronic sponges. We showed that there was no difference to the cell viability and that we could bring the added advantage of continuous electrical monitoring as an analysis tool. This monitoring occurred during the cell growth period and is available to scientists as a real time way of measuring if their experiments are running as planned. |
| Exploitation Route | We did significant market analysis and determined the best short term and long term plans for a potential spin out. The spin out would help us to derisk the technology and then work with licensing partners or other partners to put our technology to use. We identified partners to work with in future for further development, both in terms of prototyping and in terms of applications to best show the advantages of our device. |
| Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) |
| Amount | £88,533 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/X527257/1 |
| Organisation | Henry Royce Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | iCURE Explore and Exploit: Electra Bio |
| Amount | £53,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 05/2024 |
| Title | TRANSMEMBRANE DEVICE |
| Description | The present invention provides A porous scaffold membrane configured for use in a well plate insert, method of making the insert, an apparatus comprising the inset and uses of the insert in monitoring cell culture. |
| IP Reference | WO2023026047 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | This patent gives us credibility when assessing options for spin out. The technology we develop and wish to apply, will likely need to be derisked via a spinout before it can be licensed or the company acquired. |
| Description | MPS World Summit 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | RMO gave an invited talk at the conference, on conducting polymer scaffold devices for microphysiological systems (MPS). Important outcomes were conversations (and a business dinner with) Prof. Linda Griffiths - technology developer who licensed IP to CN Bio - one of the key partners on this grant. Other meaningful interactions with potential future collaborators were identified and will be followed up on. There were some very useful and interesting presentations, including from the US FDA and the Animal Alternatives community, responsible for validating assays used as alternatives to animal testing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://mpsworldsummit.com/mps-world-summit-2023/ |
| Description | Materials Research Society Conference in Boston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | RMO gave a plenary presentation (Kavli sponsored Symposium X talk). This is one of the lectures that does not occur at the same time as the parallel symposium sessions and so had a potential audience of ~5000. Approximately ~800 people attended. RMO gave an overview of the organ on chip technology that is the subject of this Proof of Concept grant. The talk she gave is summarised here: https://materials.typepad.com/mrs_meeting_scene/symposium-x/ She also gave a more technical talk (on the same subject) to a smaller group of people at the same conference - more focussed on organic bioelectronics ~40 people attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t7xx6wDUvI |
| Description | Nucleate UK pitch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | KK made a pitch to the Nucleate UK accelerator. A student led organisation that represents a global community of bio innovators. The pitch was to have access to the accelerator and seed funding. Unfortunately the pitch wasn't successful, however the experience was invaluable and helped shaped future pitches. KK applied for, and was successful in, joining the Innovate iCURE program - first explore and now exploit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://nucleate.xyz/ |