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We have awarded a team led by Dr Torsten Mayr at PyroScience AT GmbH further funding through the SensOoChip Challenge to integrate real-time multiparametric monitoring and data modelling with connected organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices. Data generated from OoC models can contribute to safer, more effective drug development while reducing costs but limitations such as the need for manual sampling, ‘snapshot’ data collection and variability between experiments are a barrier to their wider use to replace animals in research and safety testing.
SensOoChip is our second mega CRACK IT Challenge* in new approach methodologies** (NAMs) and aims to address these technical limitations. The winning team includes expertise in optical sensor development, Raman spectroscopy, OoC biology and in silico modelling. The team have established the OptoSensOoC project to tackle the main aims of the Challenge by creating a standardised multi-organ platform with integrated non-invasive sensors to enable continuous longitudinal monitoring of physiological parameters.
"SensOoChip is our second mega Challenge and is a real opportunity to improve the robustness and reproducibility of OoCs, further drive their uptake of across sectors and realise their full potential to reduce the reliance on animals. We are delighted to be working with Torsten and the team on this exciting addition to our NAMs portfolio."
Cathy Vickers, Head of Innovation at the NC3Rs
This funding builds on the team’s success during the proof-of-concept phase of the Challenge, where they introduced new sensors capable of monitoring both baseline and disturbed liver function and metabolism. They successfully integrated these sensors into a liver-on-a-chip model and developed a detailed roadmap for expanding the range of measurable readouts.
Next steps in the project will focus on integrating these sensors into a connected heart and liver OoC system to demonstrate the feasibility of automating the sensor system. Key features under development include an interface able to connect to all OoCs compliant with ISO quality standards and direct analysis of biomarkers. The project will also incorporate “digital twin” in silico modules that will analyse and model data generated from the sensors to inform experimental parameters.
"Every breath you take – we´ll be watching you. We will track the cell metabolism and viability in our multi-organ platform in real-time with optical micro sensors and Raman spectroscopy. Our technology enables drug effect assessment that has not been accessible before. We are honoured to receive this prestigious funding and look forward to working with the NC3Rs and pharmaceutical companies."
Torsten Mayr, PyroScience AT
Six pharmaceutical companies sponsor the SensOoChip Challenge – AstraZeneca, Bayer, GSK, Merck, Novartis, and UCB – providing resources and expertise to the team.
The OptoSensOoC-Project team:
- µOrganoLab at University Tübingen (Prof Peter Loskill).
- BioSpecLab at the NMI (Dr Julia Marzi).
- MPSlabs, a dedicated business unit of ESQlabs (Dr Christian Mass).
- TU Graz and PyroScience AT GmbH (Dr Torsten Mayr).
The SensOoChip Challenge adds to the CRACK IT portfolio of projects advancing the use of OoC technologies and complex in vitro models to reduce the reliance on animals in drug development, including Nephrotube and Osteo Chip, you can follow the team’s progress on the SensOoChip Challenge page.
* Mega Challenges are large scale research and development projects with additional resource available for validation, scale-up and commercialisation.
**We use the term new approach methodologies specifically to refer to full and partial replacement approaches for assessing chemical or drug toxicity