Engineering Solutions for Representative Models of the Gastrointestinal Human-Microbe Interface. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eain, Marc Mac Giolla; Baginska, Joanna; Greenhalgh, Kacy; Fritz, Joëlle V.; Zenhausern, Frederic; Wilmes, Paul
• Is Part Of: Engineering. Volume 3:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Microbiome -- Microfluidics -- Organ-on-a-chip -- HuMiX; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering -- China -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1016/J.ENG.2017.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-8099

Abstract

Abstract: Host-microbe interactions at the gastrointestinal interface have emerged as a key component in the governance of human health and disease. Advances in micro-physiological systems are providing researchers with unprecedented access and insights into this complex relationship. These systems combine the benefits of microengineering, microfluidics, and cell culture in a bid to recreate the environmental conditions prevalent in the human gut. Here we present the human-microbial cross talk (HuMiX) platform, one such system that leverages this multidisciplinary approach to provide a representative in vitro model of the human gastrointestinal interface. HuMiX presents a novel and robust means to study the molecular interactions at the host-microbe interface. We summarize our proof-of-concept results obtained using the platform and highlight its potential to greatly enhance our understanding of host-microbe interactions with a potential to greatly impact the pharmaceutical, food, nutrition, and healthcare industries in the future. A number of key questions and challenges facing these technologies are also discussed.