ISIM Organoid Initiative

ISIM Organoid Initiative: 3D cell culture, spheroids, and organoids-based research

This initiative began in 2022 to establish a network for researchers working with, or wanting to work with 3D cell culture, spheroids, and organoids. These models more closely mimic the tissue architecture found in vivo, allowing for direct cell-cell contact and communication.

Our network features users of blood-brain barrier, cerebral, intestinal, tonsillar, thymic, and skin models to answer a wide variety of research questions relating to infectious disease, cancer, embryonic development, and immune tolerance.

This initiative aims to set the foundation for collaboration and networking amongst researchers based at ISIM and beyond.

Yvonne Adams, an Associate Professor and head of Targets team at the Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP), has been working on host-parasite interactions of the malaria parasite for over 20 years, and since 2018 has been using blood-brain barrier (BBB) organoids to investigate infectious diseases such as cerebral malaria and Lyme neuroborreliosis.  The work in the Targets team focuses on the impact such pathogens have on BBB dysfunction and how this may contribute to pathology. 3D and organoid work is expanding to include the choroid plexus, the entry point to the central nervous system for many pathogens, and the blood-retinal barrier. As BBB-dysfunction is central to many neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, the impact of the peripheral immune system has upon it is also of critical interest and Yvonne Adams’ research seeks to understand the impact inflammation and the immune response has upon the barriers.

Research Interests:

• Blood-brain barrier
• Cerebral Malaria
• Neuroborreliosis
• Neuroimmunology
  
  

Helen Vaher, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, University of Copenhagen, is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of inflammatory skin diseases. Specializing in conditions like allergic contact dermatitis and psoriasis, Helen Vaher focuses on microRNA's role while spearheading the use of innovative 3D skin models. These models serve as ethical alternatives to traditional animal models, allowing in-depth exploration of immune responses without compromising animal welfare. By studying epidermal T-cell subsets' reactions to various allergens, Helen Vaher pioneers progressive pathways toward understanding skin immunology, exploring potential therapeutic breakthroughs.

Research Interests:

• Innovative 3D Skin Models
• MicroRNAs 
• Inflammatory skin disease