Kidney and Liver Functions: Reproduced with iPS Organ Chips!
– Elucidation of disease causes and drug discovery without animal testing –
Report from the Yomiuri Shimbun latest article
A palm-sized kit reproduces the complex phenomena that occur in organs such as the kidney and liver.
An organ chip made by Professor Takashi Yokokawa of Kyoto University is attracting attention.
What is an “organ chip”:
It is an experimental device in which multiple types of cells are poured into a resin plate.
It can be applied to elucidation of the cause of diseases and drug discovery.
This will lead to a reduction in animal testing, which is essential for medical research.
Professor Yokokawa of Kyoto University and RIKEN:
In May, this team succeeded in reproducing a part of kidney function with an organ chip.
A paper was published in an international scientific journal.
The chip has an “internal structure in which two cylindrical channels are adjacent to each other”.
“Kidney cells made from iPS cells and blood vessel cells” were put into each channel.
As with the actual kidney, we confirmed the exchange of proteins and sugars between cells.
EU animal testing regulations:
Animal experiments are indispensable for disease elucidation and drug discovery.
In 2013, the EU banned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.
Movement toward regulation is becoming a global trend.
New York University Abu Dhabi: Associate Professor Kenichiro Kamei
We need a system that can reproduce the effects and side effects of drugs without using animals.
When combined with iPS cells, it is possible to recreate an environment that is more human-like.