This course provides a comprehensive introduction to organ-on-chip technology, an innovative platform that combines microfluidics and cell biology to model human organ functions in vitro. Students will explore the design and application of the organ-on-chip systems for drug testing, disease modeling, and personalized medicine. The course also addresses current challenges and the translational potential of organ-on-chip models in pharmaceutical and biomedical research.
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of human in vitro models used in personalized medicine. In particular, the course will introduce the fundamentals of organ-on-chip technologies - including cell cultures, devices, and key characterization techniques - with focus on their applications in disease modelling and drug testing. Special attention will be given to the characterization of electrophysiological signals generated by brain-on-chip and heart-on-chip models.
Aim 1: Understand the principles and applications of organ-on-chip systems in biomedical research. Learning Outcome 1: Students will be able to explain the design, function, and biomedical applications of organ-on-chip platforms, including their advantages over traditional in vitro and in vivo models.
Aim 2: Gain knowledge of the biological and engineering components involved in organ-on-chip design. Learning Outcome 2: Students will be able to describe the role of cell types, biomaterials, and microfluidic architecture in replicating tissue and organ functions.
Aim 3: Learn how to acquire and analyze electrophysiological signals from organ-on-chip models. Learning Outcome 3: Students will be able to extract and interpret electrophysiological signals (e.g., from cardiac or neuronal cells) using appropriate sensors and data analysis methods.
Basic knowledge of cell biology and human physiology; skills in data analysis and signal processing; familiarity with bioengineering principles.
Lectures with the support of audio-visual material.
Introduction to In Vitro Models
Conventional animal-based in vitro systems
Limitations and transition toward human-relevant models
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs)
Fundamentals of hiPSC biology and generation
Differentiation protocols into cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other lineages
Development of 2D cultures, 3D structures, and organoids
Organ-on-Chip Technology
Key components: cellular models, microenvironment engineering, external stimuli, and data readouts
Integration of sensors for monitoring physiological responses
Design considerations for mimicking organ-specific functions
Applications and Examples of Organ-on-Chip Systems
Brain-on-chip and Blood-Brain Barrier-on-chip
Heart-on-chip
Lung-on-chip
Gut-on-chip
Electrophysiological Readouts in organ-on-chip models
Measurement and analysis of electrical activity in cardiomyocytes and neurons
Functional assessment in both healthy and disease-like conditions
Lecture slides and selected scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals.
Ricevimento: In person or via Microsoft Teams by prior appointment arranged by contacting the lecturer at monica.frega@unige.it.
MONICA FREGA (President)
https://corsi.unige.it/11159/p/studenti-orario
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The final assessment will consist of an oral examination covering the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the course.
In addition, students will be required to perform a Journal Club on a specific topic (i.e., placenta on chip, cancer on chip, immune system on chip).
Student performance will be evaluated through a combination of the following:
Oral Examination (80%) To assess understanding of key concepts, theoretical foundations, and the ability to discuss applications of organ-on-chip technology.
Active participation during lecture sections may also be considered for borderline evaluations.
All the topics discussed during the journal clubs are part of the oral examination.
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