Novo Nordisk 3D adipose tissue

01/11/2024 to 31/10/2027

Adipose tissue dysfunction is a major contributor to the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Animal models do not reflect the adipose tissue distribution and response to feeding in human.1 In vitro culture of mature adipocytes is challenging due to their buoyancy and fragility associated with lipid droplet accumulation. Hydrogels and ceiling culture have been used to keep the buoyant adipocyte in place.2 Moreover, adipose tissue is composed by a variety of cells including adipocytes, endothelial cells, stem cells, progenitors and immune cells.3 Their composition and interaction changes in response to obesity and inflammation. Current in vitro models for adipose tissue lack the complexity and functional readouts needed to study the interactions between different cell types in the adipose tissue.2 Therefore, we aim to develop a 3D adipose tissue model with functional readouts to evaluate the interaction between different cell types in the model.