The 3D hydrogel scaffolds provide a more realistic study tool than standard 2D or animal models.
Researchers covered a hard plastic mold with a softer mold of calcium alginate. They dissolved this second, “sacrificial” mold, which revealed a collagen scaffold appropriate for growing cells. Human colon carcinoma cells cultured on the model for three weeks produced structures similar to intestinal villi, suggesting that the model accurately reflects the human intestine.
Cornell Professor John March plans to use the new artificial intestine to model type 1 diabetes and test whether intestinal bacteria could signal cells to mimic insulin-producing beta cells.
Read the Cornell University Chronicle Online report on the artificial human gut.
Read more coverage on GI research:
– Baylor Health, Eureka Form Alliance for Colorectal Cancer Research
– Study: Method for Predicting Colon Cancer in Mice May Lead to Replacement for Colonoscopies
– Researchers Study Computer-Assisted Personalized Sedation System
