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Organs-on-chip

Organs on a chip

Our team specializes in microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and reproductive bioengineering. The main focus is on developing innovative in vitro models that enhance our understanding of human physiology and disease. Through our work, we aim to advance microfluidic technology and biomedical engineering to overcome limits of drug discovery and environmental toxicity while also reducing the use of animals for research.

We are generally interested in the development of the Organ-on-a-chip technology (OOC) and improving its adoption in the drug discovery process and for scientific research and for this reason we are keen to evaluate improvements and challenges to its adoption (link).

With collaborators in many different institutes, we help with the optimization of the organ-on-a-chip to be able to model different physiological mechanisms. Here some examples:

  • Neurovascular Unit on a Chip
    In my publication Recreating Blood-Brain Barrier Physiology and Structure on Chip: A Novel Neurovascular Microfluidic Bioreactor, I contributed to the design and optimization of one of the first microfluidic device that mimics the human blood-brain barrier. This platform helps researchers study neurovascular functions and disorders.
  • Placenta-on-a-Chip Models
    I have contributed to the development of on-a-chip models of the  placenta and the fetal membranes which allow us to study maternal-fetal interactions, drug toxicity and bacterial infection during pregnancy. These models provide critical insights into placental function and pregnancy-related diseases.

Our main focus however remain the development of enabling technologies to improve our understanding of human reproduction by introducing physiologically relevant in vitro models, and developing new platforms and processes to improve fertility treatment.

  • Organs-on-a-Chip Models of the Female Reproductive System
    In this comprehensive review, Organs-On-Chip Models of the Female Reproductive System, we analysed microfluidic-based technologies that mimic in vivo conditions of female reproductive organs. These models hold great promise for studying diseases and pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia and infertility.
  • Endometrium-on-a-chip The endometrial environment is complex, dynamically changing and its functioning mechanisms are finely tuned to support women health as well as the establishment of a successful pregnancy. The factors that influence these mechanisms are not completely understood and most of this is due to the complexity to model them in vitro. With our general approach we collaborate with several groups to develop new models based on microfluidics, organoids and more.
  • Microfluidic Devices for Embryo Culture
    I led the project Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Mouse Embryo Culture Chip, funded by the NC3Rs CRACK-IT Challenge. This initiative aimed to create microfluidic devices that enhance embryo handling and culture, improving assisted reproductive technologies while also reducing reliance on animal models. This technology has been now translated into a commercial device with the University of Leeds' Spin off IVFmicro ltd.