Standardizing organoid growth through controlled guidance systems

A recent innovation from an EPFL laboratory will enable, for the first time, mass production of standardized organoids. This breakthrough was achieved thanks to a customized guidance system that ensures homogenous cell culturing. Described in an article published today in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the technique paves the way for industrial uses, such as screening new drugs. Over the past decade, organoid research has raised hopes, particularly in terms of personalized medicine and improved screening for new drugs. The structure and properties of these three-dimensional tissue cultures are similar to those of entire organs, creating unparalleled opportunities. However, widespread use of organoids has been hampered due to the cells' disorderly growth. The ability to compare thousands of samples for industrial use requires that a series of identical "mini-organs" be created to enable automated monitoring.