Launch of the European research project HeMiBio: Development of a Hepatic Microfluidic Bioreactor
The goal of this consortium is to generate a liver-simulating device mimicking the complex structure and function of the human liver. This 3-D Bioreactor (human hepatocytes, human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and human stellate cells) integrated into an artificial matrix and supported by novel microfluidics and advanced electrodes) will reproduce the interactions between the 3 different cells consisting of the liver for over 1 month in vitro in a high-throughput format. Such a liver bioreactor will serve to test the effects of chronic exposure to chemicals, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and thus will be used to predict their toxicity. To create a renewable source of the hepatocytes, human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and human stellate cells, differentiated cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) will be used, that underwent standard liver differentiation. HeMiBio will address 2 major issues: firstly the assessment of toxic effects of chronic exposure that still requires a relatively high consumption of animals and secondly, aside from these ethical considerations, the great need for suitable human cells to be used in toxicity testing, as there is in many cases poor concordance between animal models and toxic effects in humans. Dr Verfaillie and all partners believe that the unique joining of forces of cell biologists, bioengineers, engineers specialized in microelectronics, microfluidics, and biosensors, as well as toxicologist will allow HeMiBio to generate a small liver bioreactor that can be used for repeat toxicity testing. If successful the technologies to be developed could then in the future also be applied to test for instance idiosyncratic liver toxicity, or to generate other organs at risk for repeat toxicity. HeMiBio is part of the SEURAT cluster, a European research initiative with the long-term goal of achieving “Safety Evaluation Ultimately Replacing Animal Testing”. In a first phase of this initiative, the European Commission’s FP7 HEALTH programme and the European Cosmetics Association (COLIPA) support a cluster of six research projects representing the building blocks of a common strategy “Towards the replacement of current repeated dose systemic toxicity testing in human safety assessment”. This cluster is co-funded by the European Commission and Colipa up to €50 Million. ------------------------------------------------------------------ About Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (www.kuleuven.be ) K.U.Leuven founded in 1425, is Belgium’s largest university. As a leading European research university, it offers a wide variety of academic programmes in Dutch and English, nurtured by high quality interdisciplinary research, both at the university and at its internationally acclaimed university hospitals. More than 6,000 researchers from over 120 countries participate in curiosity-driven and strategic frontier research, as well as targeted and demand-driven research. The university’s interaction and co-operation with external partners is very intense. As a comprehensive university, K.U.Leuven offers 3-year Bachelor’s and 1 or 2-year Master’s programmes in almost all disciplines. The Leuven doctoral schools organise the international PhD tracks of close to 3,500 doctoral students. Leuven is a safe, pleasant and multicultural town, with a vibrant student community, only a short train ride away from Brussels, Paris and London. About Inserm Transfert (www.inserm-transfert.fr) Founded in 2000, Inserm Transfert SA is the private subsidiary of the French National Institute of the Health and Medical Research (Inserm), dedicated to technology transfer (from invention disclosure to industrial partnership). Inserm Transfert manages European and International research projects, supports preclinical, clinical and post-marketing studies. Since 2009, Inserm Transfert has run a proof of concept fund. The company is also committed to seed financing in the biotech sector, through its dedicated fund Inserm Transfert Initiative.
Countries
Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Israel, Norway