What we do

Since 2015, we are on the route to making patient-specific replicas of the human body, so that every patient can get tailor-made medicine and to replace animal testing. 

How we are doing it

Stem cells

With induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, it is possible to produce stem cells from any person. By culturing the iPS cells in the lab, we can differentiate them to many different types of human tissues, including those of the heart, vessels and nerves.

At AST, we use tools like CRISPR/Cas technology to genetically modify stem cells and produce stem cell-derived tissues that express fluorescent reporter proteins, or that carry specific disease-related genetic mutations. Moreover, we analyze the stem cells and the stem cell-derived tissues both by high-throughput/high-content imaging and by single cell analysis.

Organs-on-chips

Organs-on-chips are realistic laboratory models of human tissues and organs, based on the culture of human cell material in microfluidic devices. Nanosensors and microactuators are integrated in the devices and generate a dynamic and realistic cell culture microenvironment. As a result of this technical-biological integration, organs-on-chips exhibit specific functions that are similar to those found in human organs. At AST, we develop and apply organ-on-chip technology to study the structure and function of the human heart and other organs.