Illustration of the human Colon Chip (IMAGE)

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard

Illustration of the human Colon Chip

Caption

This illustration shows the design of the human Colon Chip with which the research team recreated salient features of IBD. Shown on the left is a commercially available organ-on-a-chip device. Next to it is a cross-section of the epithelial-stromal tissue interface formed with patient-derived cells. The interface is composed of a fibroblast rich stroma that is perfused with medium to mimic the fluid flow within stroma tissue itself, as well as the epithelium, which is composed of absorptive cells and Goblet cells, secretes a thick mucus layer into the lumen of the apical channel that also experiences fluid flow. Both tissues are separated by a flexible, porous, ECM-coated membrane, and the entire tissue-tissue interface can be stretched and relaxed rhythmically to mimic peristalsis-like motions.

Credit

Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Original content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.