Recipient: Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Technical University Berlin
Funding: GO-Bio Phase I (01.03.2010 - 31.08.2015, 4.207.333 Euro)

Recipient: TissUse GmbH
Funding: GO-Bio Phase II (01.09.2015 - 31.08.2018, 5.348.470 Euro)

Summary

The number and spread of allergies has risen rapidly in recent decades, not only in Europe but also beyond. To date, it is only possibly to determine the impact of new natural and synthetic substances in retrospect, and no adequate methods exist for the advance testing, under real conditions, of complex interactions in human organs. A team headed by Ronald Lauster wants to remedy this with a multi-organ bioreactor in chip format that enables the testing of substances with respect to patient-relevant reactions – before exposure to humans. One chip will contain six growth chambers, each with three organ segments. In these chambers, various organ models such as heart or liver are adducted in vitro. Aided by fluorescence-based methods, this enables the ‘online’ analysis of key processes.

The long term objective is to capture all data on the absorption and distribution of substances in the body, as well as data relating to biochemical conversion and degradation, excretion and possible harmful effects. These tests are abbreviated as ADMET. The first benchmark test of the device for specific selected parameters (DMT test) is anticipated to take place within three years as part of the GO-Bio project. It is also planned to found a contract company that will test substances such as cosmetics ingredients using the novel bioreactor.