John W Rumsey
Hesperos, Inc, USA
Title: Stem cell based human on a chip models for drug efficacy safety and precision medicine
Biography
Biography: John W Rumsey
Abstract
The utilization of human-on-a-chip (HoaC) systems for compound efficacy and safety testing which could ultimately lead to precision, personalized medicine is a topic that has recently received much attention. Of critical importance to the development of these systems is the incorporation of organ modules derived from human stem cells. Stem cells provide an inexhaustible source of cells that can be differentiated in multiple lineages with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) serving as the benchmark for personalized medicine. Key characteristics needed for these systems are the ability for organ-to-organ communication in a serum-free recirculating medium, and incorporation of induced pluripotent stem cells that allow for understanding individuals’ genetic variation and for construction of systems using diseased patients’ cells. Additionally, real-time monitoring of organ health and physiology using non-invasive, functional readouts is a desirable system characteristic for repeat dose or chronic drug treatment programs. Currently, these are only possible using animal models or human clinical trials. Hesperos has constructed stem cell-based, human body-on-a-chip systems demonstrating physiological responses to compounds in configurations of up to five organs. System configurations have included stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle myotubes, brain micro vascular endothelial cells, motoneurons, sensory neurons and cortical neurons. Acute and chronic compound testing in our HoaC systems (>28days) has generated responses similar to those seen in clinical data or reports in the literature.