General information

‘Organ-on-Chips’ (OoC) are multicellular cultures grown in microfluidic devices that mimic key in vivo functions of tissues and organs. The cultures are usually complex mixtures of different cell types grown under highly controlled conditions in an engineered environment of microfluidic compartments with continuous perfusion. OoC technology based on human cells is the key for developing superior models for in vitro exploration of healthy and diseased human tissues and organs.

Human OoC models will have main applications in pharma and food industries. OoC models can be used for mechanistic and target/biomarker identification studies, and for (personalized) safety and/or efficacy testing of drugs, food ingredients, environmental or chemical compounds. OoC technology can revolutionize existing in vitro approaches and holds the promise to reduce animal experiments.

OoC is a multidisciplinary field, where researchers from biology, engineering, physics, medicine collaborate to develop the technology and applications. IOOCS18 brings researchers from these disciplines together, to discuss the latest developments in the field. Renowned keynote speakers will present the state-of-the-art in their fields, and junior researchers will present their recent findings in young talent sessions and poster sessions. Representatives from industry will give heir view on commercial needs and perspectives of OoC. Young scientists will have the opportunity to meet the leaders in the field in “Meet-the-Expert” lunches. And, there will be plenty of time for interaction, networking, exchanging results and new developments.