Nanotechnology

Scalable production of high-quality organoids: an innovative platform using 3D engineered nanofibrous membranes

(a) Kidney organoid with scalable nephron structure generated in UniMat. (b) Kidney organoids with vascular structures. (c) Establishment of multiple kidney disease (PKD) and drug testing models using UniMat. Credit: POSTECH

The research team has successfully developed a platform that allows for the scalable and uniform production of organoids that mimic biological functions. Their research was recently published in the journal Nature Communications.

Organoids are three-dimensional cellular constructs that reproduce the functions of human organs and have attracted significant attention in the fields of human organ development, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine research. However, the heterogeneity and poor reproducibility of organoids pose challenges to their scalable production, limiting their practical application in clinical trials and drug development processes. Furthermore, current technologies face limitations in producing organoids at large scale and are far from meeting industrial demand.

To address these challenges, the research team developed a platform called UniMat (uniform and mature organoid culture platform) that enables scalable production of mature organoids. The platform is implemented using a three-dimensional artificial membrane made of ultra-thin nanofibers that is approximately 1/200 the width of a human hair, providing a structural environment that allows for uniform organoid formation. At the same time, it enhances the delivery of nutrients and differentiation factors through the permeability of the material. This is important for organoid differentiation and maturation.

A breakthrough in the scalable production of high-quality organoids

(a) Schematic diagram of the UniMat platform. (b) UniMat manufacturing process. (c) Photograph of the fabricated UniMat platform. Credit: POSTECH Development of UniMat for uniform and mature organoid culture.

Using UniMat, the research team successfully created kidney organoids featuring nephron structure and blood vessels similar to those of the human kidney from human induced pluripotent stem cells, achieving stable quality and significantly increasing production efficiency. Improved. Additionally, they established a polycystic kidney model using UniMat and demonstrated the potential for standardized organoid-based disease modeling and drug evaluation.

The team was led by Professor Dong Sung Kim and Researcher Dohui Kim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), and was conducted in collaboration with Professor Tae-Eun Park and Researcher Hyeonji Lim. Biomedical Engineering at UNIST (Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology).

Professor Kim of POSTECH, who led the research, said, “Through these research results, we will not only accelerate research and development using organoids, which require high reproducibility and reliability, but also make a significant contribution to the development of organoids.” “We have high expectations for this,” he said, explaining the significance of the research. Animal alternative testing methods are attracting attention.

“By using UniMat to address both the challenges of quality assurance and scalable production of organoids, we have laid the foundation for the practical application of organoids in the clinical and pharmaceutical industries.”

Further information: Dohui Kim et al, Scalable production of uniform mature organoids in 3D geometrically engineered permeable membranes, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53073-z

Provided by Pohang University of Science and Technology

Citation: Scalable production of high-quality organoids: Innovative platform utilizes 3D-engineered nanofibrous membranes (November 25, 2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-11-scalable-production-high- quality- Retrieved on November 25, 2024 organoid.html

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