EYE-ON-CHIP
Visual impairment and blindness are a great threat to the life quality of an estimated 280 million people and a great burden for healthcare all over the world. Besides many retinal diseases, macular diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the main cause of visual impairment in elderly people. Even though millions of people are affected little is known of the underlying disease mechanisms and therefore the treatment provided is not effective and no cure is in reach. To better understand retinal diseases more suitable human in vitro models are needed. The Eye-on-chip team is working towards more physiological novel human cell-based in vitro models of the human retina.
Retina-on-a-Chip (RoC-ME)
Personal therapeutic approaches for eye conditions are increasingly being developed. However, the lack of relevant and robust models hampers the progress in understanding the disease mechanisms and designing effective treatments. In this project, we will generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and endothelial (ECs) cells to generate a 3D model combining the fundamental structures of the retina in multiplexed microfluidic organ-on-chip devices. Using patient-derived iPSCs, we expect to obtain an accurate model of various retinal diseases and assess approaches for therapeutics and prevention.
Funding
NWO-TTW, SGF, ZonMw, LSH; Health~Holland
