Applications of Organoid Technology

Applications of Organoid Technology is a one-week intensive course offered by MDI Biological Laboratory in partnership with Hubrecht Organoid Technology (The HUB), a non-profit organization based in the Netherlands. The HUB is founded on the pioneering work of Prof. Dr. Hans Clevers who discovered methods to grow stem cell-derived human epithelial ‘mini-organs’ (organoids) from tissues of patients with various diseases including cancer and cystic fibrosis.

Course participants will learn the basics of organoid culture and the most recent developments in the organoid field. Hands-on laboratory work will focus on cultures from The Living Biobank at The HUB which include organoids from patients with various forms of cancer (colon, prostate, lung, pancreas) and cystic fibrosis.

In cell culture, organoids stably maintain the genotype/phenotype of the patient’s diseased tissue, thereby representing an in vitro platform for preclinical drug discovery and validation. Organoid technology will help scientists of various disciplines to identify the underlying causes for tissue specific diseases as well as drug sensitivity and responsiveness to drug combinations.