Tumor-on-chip technology for cancer studies: Tumor-LN-oC
Microfluidics is an essential part of tissue-on-chip systems.
In the project, Tumor-LN-oC (Tumor and Lymph Node on Chip for cancer studies), microfluidics will construct a tumor-on-chip technology to study the interaction between cancer cells and lymph nodes.
Tumor-on-chip technology for cancer studies: introduction
Cancer cells often use lymphatic vessels to spread and colonize lymph nodes located downstream.
This project aims to develop a robust, automated tumor-on-chip platform connecting primary surgically removed human tumors with lymph node tissue from the same cancer patient. The interaction between primary tumors and lymph nodes can be studied.
Identifying the chemical clues responsible for cell migration and, thus, the formation of metastases can help develop personalized treatments relying on the molecular signature of cancer cells.
2nd September 2021: Tumor-LN-oC released its first Press Release!
In recent years, organ-on-chip systems have proven to be effective model systems for studying drug effects and physiological events such as angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. Microfluidics, the technology allowing these systems, have proven central to replicating complex physiological environments.
A tumor-on-chip technology for cancer studies: project description
The development of the tumor-on-chip platform will require a combination of skills in microfluidics, cell biology, cancer biology, physics, computer programming, and software development.
Together, they will allow the construct of a system consisting of novel microfluidic chips for co-culture and crosstalk between two different tissue types, the identification of chemical compounds through IR spectroscopy, the molecular characterization of both the migrating tumor-derived cells attracted to the lymph node and the soluble cues driving migration and real-time monitoring of the process of cell migration.
One of the main aims will be a platform that is comparatively easy to operate, complies with regulatory requirements, and is compatible with existing laboratory equipment to facilitate its use.
The consortium includes vital industrial partners and experts in the aforementioned interdisciplinary fields and is expected to impact the EU’s economy and healthcare substantially.
Related content & results from this project
In the light of the Tumor-LN-oC project, we developed the following packs and instruments:
- Cell culture pump,
- Perfusion pump,
- Cell perfusion pack with oxygen control,
- Mother machine,
- Lymph node model pack.
We integrated the cell culture pump into our automated recirculation system and compared this system to recirculation with a peristaltic pump.
In addition, we have published a review about organ-on-a-chip models.
Funding
This project has received funding from the European Union under H2020-NMBP-TR-IND-2020, grant agreement No. 953234 (Tumor-LN-oC).
Start date: 1 May 2021
End date: 30 April 2025
Overall budget: € 5 769 436,25
