Joint Research Unit on Bioprinting, Organoids and Organs-on-chip for Functional Biomodels

The Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL) and the Institute for Research in Biotechnology and Health (IDiBE) of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) have formalised the creation of the Joint Research Unit on Bioprinting, Organoids and Organs-on-chip for Functional Biomodels. This strategic collaboration seeks to harness the potential of both institutions to lead advances in the design, development and application of organoids, which simulate the characteristics and functions of human organs in the laboratory.

Among the objectives of the new unit are the design and development of experimental and preclinical models (organoids and organ-on-a-chip), which reduce the use of experimental animals, for the screening of new molecules with antineoplastic, antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal capacities, both from natural origin and from synthetic chemotherapeutics or designed by combining molecular modelling and virtual screening techniques. In addition, the new unit aims to work on the design and development of new biomaterials and biosensors useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other pathologies.

Services

• 3D functional human skin organoid with sensory innervation. Composed of keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system.
• three-layer human skin models (epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis), entirely derived from human cells and generated through both co-culture techniques and 3D bioprinting.
• Tumor cell spheroids from colon and breast cancers, as well as co-cultures with human adipocytes, to investigate tumor–adipose tissue communication and metabolic dependence.