Modeling liver transplant rejection using a microfluidic device
Official title: Vascularized liver on-a-chip modeling cellular and humoral rejection of allografts
Funded at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation · NIH-11004094 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special model that acts like a liver to help researchers understand how the immune system reacts to transplanted livers, with the goal of finding better ways to help transplant patients avoid taking medications for life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodland Hills, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $201,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB034423-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004094 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have undergone liver transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for liver transplantation or those with other organ failures unrelated to liver function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel organ-on-a-chip platform that mimics the liver's structure and function to study how the immune system reacts to transplanted organs. By creating a 3D model of liver allograft rejection, the researchers hope to better understand the mechanisms behind immune tolerance, which could lead to improved transplant outcomes. The approach involves using microfluidic technology to simulate the interactions between immune cells and liver cells, providing insights that traditional models cannot offer. This innovative method could pave the way for new strategies to reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppression in transplant patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved transplant acceptance and reduced side effects from immunosuppressive drugs for patients receiving liver transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While organ-on-a-chip technology is a relatively new approach, similar studies have shown promise in modeling other organ functions and responses, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Woodland Hills, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jucaud, Vadim — Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
- Study coordinator: Jucaud, Vadim
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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.