Authors: Rick Cohen, Ph.D., Kalhara Menikdiwela, Ph.D., John Huang, Ph.D. Abstract: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a powerful launch point to study the cellular mechanisms of the developing embryo and the formation of organ systems. Further, they provide an invaluable tool for developing patient-specific models for studying disease processes and drug discovery. However, […]
ABSTRACT Predicting drug efficacy in oncological microphysiological systems (MPS) requires high-resolution longitudinal tracking of cell death pathways within dense 3D architectures. Traditional confocal methods struggle with light attenuation and phototoxicity during multi-day imaging. We present an example of a semi-automated HTS workflow using a system that (1) maintains the in vivo cancer phenotype by growing […]
Background The luminal progenitor (LP) population in the normal breast is under the control of paracrine progesterone signalling and likely represents the cell of origin of estrogen receptor negative (ER-) BC. Exogenous progestins, as contraception or menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), increase the risk of ER- and ER+ BC. We sought to examine the effect […]
Presenter: Julia Schueler, Ph.D. – Charles River Laboratories Abstract: The 3R principles are embedded in regulatory frameworks and industry standards. However, drug development pipelines are highly standardized and validated over decades. Introducing new models and adapting existing ones requires extensive validation. The need to compare data before and after these adaptations can lead to inconsistencies […]
Abstract: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key biological process that facilitates cancer metastasis to distant organs. Most preclinical studies investigating EMT are conducted using traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture models, which fail to recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment, limiting the translational relevance of their findings to clinical settings. Consequently, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have emerged […]
Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States of America. Organoids, specifically CRC organoids have emerged as a powerful preclinical model as they closely recapitulate patient-specific tumor features, including tumor morphology, genetics, and treatment response. However, most organoid culture systems […]
Abstract: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a powerful starting point to study the molecular dynamics of the developing nervous system. Further, they provide an invaluable tool for developing patient-specific models to study the disease process. Therefore, optimizing their growth in a defined, native 3D state is of paramount importance to both guide and […]
Abstract: The development of in vitro systems for long-term neuronal differentiation and survival is crucial for understanding both physiological processes and various disease states. While traditional two-dimensional (2D) neuron models have been instrumental in neuroscience research, these systems fail to maintain neuron viability over extended periods, impeding prolonged neuronal maturation. One reason for this limitation is that 2D-based models misrepresent […]
Abstract: Tamoxifen, an anti-oestrogen, is the only licensed medication in the UK for breast cancer prevention in high-risk, pre-menopausal women. Data from the Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Prevention (BBCP) trial show that, while tamoxifen reduces overall proliferation after three months of treatment, a subset of women (5/13) show stable or increased proliferation. As proliferation is […]
Abstract: The invasive nature of cancer, driven by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is a critical process influenced by external cues from the tumor microenvironment, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. The ECM primes cells for EMT and metastasis, making it a key topic in understanding disease progression. For example, in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a grade IV […]
