The project aims to replace animal-derived materials, like Matrigel, which are currently used in organoid research. Matrigel is made from mouse tumours, requiring millions of animals annually, and can introduce bias and variability into experiments. The new material will make organoid research more reliable and ethical.
PIC gel
Building on a successful earlier collaboration between Radboud University and HUB Organoids, the new project will further develop the synthetic material based on the PIC gels that were developed at Radboud University. This fully animal-free and chemically defined material has already shown promising results in supporting the growth of intestinal organoids. With the new funding, the consortium aims to expand the range to include organoids from other tissues, for instance bladder, kidney, lung, breast, and liver tissue, using both healthy and diseased samples. The focus of the consortium will be on improving organoid growth rates and functional behaviour, but also, together with SBMatrices, on scaling up PIC production to make the materials broadly available to the research community.
Animal use in biomedical research
The project is a major step towards reducing animal use in biomedical research and advancing personalised medicine. By removing animal-based components, researchers will gain more reliable and clinically relevant organoid models with an impact in both research and healthcare. It also allows for customisation of the organoid microenvironment, which is not possible with animal-derived materials.
The project combines innovative science with a clear societal goal: to reduce the use of laboratory animals and to deliver more human-relevant research models, paving the way for a future of ethical and effective biomedical research. Dr. Paul Kouwer, researcher in IMM, is one of the team members within the project. "If we are serious about reducing the reliance on lab animals, then we should also design in vitro experiments without animal-based products. Otherwise, we simply shift from test animal to production animal. Our PIC-based gel have the potential to support the transition."
About IMM
The Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) is a prominent research institute within Radboud University, known for its interdisciplinary approach to chemistry and physics. IMM scientists design and create functional molecules and materials in order to fundamentally understand their behaviour, with the goal of addressing the urgent challenges of modern society through innovation and collaboration.
About ZonMw
ZonMw is the organisation for health research and care innovation in the Netherlands. It supports research from basic science to the development of new treatments and technologies, aiming to help people stay healthy, recover faster, and receive the best care. The MKMD programme that funded the grant supports research that will reduce animal-based experiments.
