Complex three-dimensional biomimetic sensor and organoid networks to yield functional data of the intestinal barrier (OriDarmi)

The intestine or the cell types involved in it (muscle, immune, nerve and glial cells) are intensively influenced by microorganisms (microbiome), by food or drugs and toxins. This can lead to a variety of diseases that do not exclusively affect the intestine, as in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease), but can become relevant for the entire organism. This even includes neurodegenerative diseases. The analysis of the influence of these factors on the function of the intestinal wall is only possible to an extremely limited extent on the living object. New culture methods allow the cultivation of spherical, intestine-like cell assemblies with a diameter of up to 3 mm, and thus an in vivo equivalent image of the intestinal wall in cell culture.

The aim of the project is to develop methods to study the processes in these cell assemblies. For this purpose, novel three-dimensional microelectrode sensor systems are being developed, which are placed around the cell association like a net or which are grown around by the cells and are then located inside the cell association. Complementing the electrode systems with microcapillaries allows, on the one hand, the direct application of substances to be investigated to the artificial intestinal mucosa and, on the other hand, the measurement of the quality of the intestinal barrier.