🫀 The Future of Heart Repair: 3D Cell Models and Organoids 🫀

keywords
cardiac research, organoids, 3D cell models, IPS cells, personalized medicine, ethical concerns, organ transplantation, cardiac therapy, cell differentiation

Summary

In this episode of the Young Immunologist podcast - ImmunoChat, Nóra Balzer interviews Fabienne Becker, a PhD candidate at the University Clinic of Düsseldorf, about her work on the HEAL project (101056712 – HLA-homozygous iPSC-cardiomyocytE Aggregate manufacturing technoLogies for allogenic cell therapy to the heart; https://www.heal-horizon.com/), which focuses on using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for cardiac repair. Fabienne discusses her background in chemistry and biochemistry, the process of manufacturing cardiac 3D cell models, and the differences between spheroids and organoids. She highlights the advantages of 3D models over traditional 2D cultures and animal models, the potential of iPSC-derived therapies in personalized medicine, and the ethical concerns surrounding the use of human cells. The conversation also touches on the cost and time implications of producing cardiac organoids, recent advancements in organoid technology, and the future of transplantable heart tissue. Fabienne shares her surprising discoveries in cardiac research and offers advice for aspiring researchers in the field.

Takeaways

• The HEAL project aims to develop cell therapy for heart regeneration.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into various cell types.
• 3D cell culture is simpler than many believe.
• Spheroids contain one cell type, while organoids contain multiple.
• Organoids aim to mimic the complexity of real organs.
• Personalized medicine could benefit from iPSC-derived therapies.
• Standardized protocols are needed for consistency in research.
• Ethical concerns exist regarding informed consent for iPSC use.
• 3D models can reduce costs in laboratory settings.
• Patience and perseverance are key in scientific research.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the HEAL Project
• 4:36 Background and Journey into Cardiac Research
• 6:12 Manufacturing Cardiac 3D Cell Models
• 15:12 Understanding Spheroids vs. Organoids
• 19:14 Advantages of 3D Models Over 2D and Animal Models
• 21:54 Personalized Medicine and IPSC Derived Therapies
• 24:06 Progress and Limitations in Organoid Technology
• 26:50 Ethical Concerns in IPS Derived Cells
• 30:23 Cost and Time Implications of Cardiac Organoids
• 34:09 Recent Advancements in Organoid Technology
• 36:13 Future of Transplantable Heart Tissue
• 38:17 Surprising Discoveries in Cardiac Research