Lymph-node-on-Chip

Lymph node-on-Chip: A microfluidic platform integrating microphysiological lymphatic tissue

01.01.2021 bis 16.06.2021

The immune response of humans is considerable different to most other mammals. Yet, gold standard assays to assess immune safety still largely rely on animal models. In a joint interdisciplinary effort, the MicroOrganoLab at the Eberhard Karl University Tübingen and the INSPIRE lab at the Jena University Hospital will address the in vitro TDAR challenge by combining our broad expertise in Organ-on-Chip-technology, tissue engineering and immune cell biology. The aim of the Lymph node-on-Chip project is to develop a fit-for-purpose platform that aims at recapitulating the microphysiological structure and function of a human lymph node in a perfused microenvironment. To achieve this, we will apply microfabrication and biomaterial technologies and fabricate a tailored platform that enables the generation and culture of polarized lymph node tissue consisting of human primary immune cells. By employing a bottom-up concept, we will stepwise add cellular diversity and tissue complexity thereby creating a modular platforms that end-users can adjust for the required complexity to tackle their respective research questions. In close collaboration with the Challenge Sponsors and our External Advisory Board, we will apply the Lymph node-on-Chip in proof of concept case studies using model antigens. Leveraging our experience in applied research and technology transfer, the focus of the second phase will be placed on further model development, fabrication scale-up and robustness as well as case studies for validation.