Projects

The aim of the project is to provide a platform for in vitro experiments with microtumors from human tissue, which meets the requirements of both pharmaceutical drug research and personalized medicine in terms of miniaturization, standardization, automation, flexibility and throughput. In contrast to animal experiments and current alternatives such as "organ-on-chip" concepts, the present project pursues a "chip-free" in vitro approach based on a conventional 384 microtiter plate. The processing platform includes a single microtumor deposition module and a unit for automated spheroid production. Due to the fully automated execution, an unprecedented throughput as well as a flexibility in terms of process control is achieved, which goes far beyond the possibilities of chip-based approaches. With the help of three-dimensional microtumors, the predictivity of preclinical studies is to be optimized, so that in the end, on the one hand, more patient-specific active substances are produced or can be identified and, on the other hand, the number of animal experiments is minimized (reduction). Furthermore, active ingredients can be better dosed by testing on physically relevant 3D tumour models in subsequent in vivo experiments, which contributes to a reduction in animal suffering (Refine). The main task of the IMTEK is the scientific consideration of different concepts for controlled single microtumor deposition and the research of a suitable mixing concept for the reservoir in order to keep the cells in suspension and prevent agglomeration. The developed single microtumor deposition module will then be integrated into the processing platform.