The Goc-MM project goes beyond the state-of-art by the integration on a human-derived and FDA approved membrane in a gut-on-a-chip (GOC) model also able to simulate the peristalsis movement of lower intestinal tract. The media perfused are enriched with different gasses simulating the rather anoxic gut environment as well as the oxygen rich microvascular flow. The different gasses concentrations are possible thanks to CubiX, a perfusion system developed in Cherry. We have performed an in-depth search of suitable membranes and we chose a decellularized amniotic membrane given its suitable specifications: transparency, thickness, elasticity, resistance, and ability to support cells grown. This membrane separates the upper hypoxic channel containing Caco-2 cell line and the lower chamber, coated with endothelial cells. The chip has been designed specifically to tackle the challenge of having a realistic gut microbiota inside the chip. The upper channel is indeed designed to host faecal transplantation and avoid the bacteria overgrown that may produce clogging into the chip. Despite the plan to test the chip in a relevant environment with patient-derived stool samples, due to the concomitant pandemic of COVID-19 we were prevented the access to the samples. The proof of concept as well as the chips characterizations/iterations have been performed by using a decellularized porcine bowel. Fluid simulations as well as real tested allowed us to optimize the design of the chip. Specific efforts in the usability of the chip were included since the beginning in order to reduce to the minimum the use of robust connectors. The socio-economic impact of the Goc-MM rely on the possibility to grow the anaerobic bacteria under physiological flow by using the microfluidic perfusion, simulating not only the peristalsis but also controlling the transit time. The microfluidic systems, as such as Goc-MM, aims to replace, reduce, and refine the animal experimentation demolishing the ethical barrier, reducing the pre-clinical costs and being closed to human physiology for the use of human-derived cell lines. In parallel to the GOC designing phase we also performed an in-depth market assessment as well as a freedom to operate in order to have a clear overview of current strategies and bottlenecks. The results of this survey was presented as a publication submitted to Open Research Europe. The ER had the possibility to learn-by-doing microfluidic and microphysiological systems. Moreover during the IF the ER could explore aspects that are more related to the non-academic sectors. During the period of the project marketing/business development actions were undertaken to explore the potential market segment of the project outcomes. The rotation and the responsibilities taken in different positions inside the start-up enabled the ER to open the vision of unexpected new career prospective.
