Connected organ-on-chip devices to model how immune organs talk to the body
Multi-organ culture and pumping systems for ex vivo models of immunity in hybrid tissue-chips
This project builds linked tissue-chip devices that let scientists watch how immune organs like lymph nodes interact with other organs, to help people with infections, cancer, or autoimmune conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195934 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will 3D-print small microfluidic devices that hold intact slices of organs and a lymph node and pump fluid and immune cells between them. The system is designed to recreate the circulation and signaling that happen in the body so scientists can observe immune communication, vaccine responses, and tumor effects outside a person. The team will refine flow control and cell circulation so the devices are easy for immunologists to use and reproduce. Over time this could make it faster to test vaccines and immunotherapies using real tissue samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with infections, cancer, or autoimmune diseases who can donate tissue samples would be most relevant for this work.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit because the project develops lab models rather than offering therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these organ-chip models could help researchers better predict immune responses to infections, vaccines, and tumors, speeding development of safer and more effective treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier microfluidic co-culture systems have shown promise (for example capturing tumor-induced immunosuppression), but fully integrated multi-organ immune chips remain a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pompano, Rebecca R — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Pompano, Rebecca R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.