Pioneering innovations in Organ-on-Chip technology  

At Holst Centre, we are revolutionizing the field of healthcare technology by deploying scalable and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Building on our expertise in flat panel displays and image sensors, we are now applying this knowledge to the organ-on-chip (OoC) domain. By integrating microfluidics, electronics, and sensors with organ models from TNO Healthy Living and Work, we have developed a multi-well plate platform—a standardized format used extensively in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and clinical diagnostics. 

This innovative approach allows for easy manufacturing and seamless integration of various functionalities into the multi-well plate. It offers a robust, scalable solution that promises to expedite the uptake of organ-on-chip technology by the industry, addressing critical challenges in preclinical drug screening. 

Albert van Breemen, Program Manager at Holst Centre, emphasizes: 

"Our efforts focus on enabling rapid and cost-effective production of multi-organ OoCs, which can authentically mimic human physiology. This is a key step towards better and faster drug discovery." 

Recent breakthroughs in OoC Technology

Recent developments at Holst Centre include successful implementations of OoC applications like gut-on-chip and brain-on-chip. By employing scalable materials and advanced integration methods, we are expanding the horizons of this technology to include models such as liver-on-chip and heart-on-chip. The ultimate goal is to create multi-organ systems capable of mimicking complex human interactions, expediting drug efficacy testing and reducing dependence on animal models. 

Societal impact of Holst Centre's innovations 

The societal benefits of organ-on-chip technology are immense. Traditional drug development processes rely heavily on animal models, which often yield unreliable predictions of human responses. OoC technology is set to replace this outdated approach by offering predictive, human-relevant data. Regulatory bodies like the EMA and FDA have already endorsed OoC as a viable alternative with significant potential. 

Marcel Zevenbergen and Albert van Breemen

Albert van Breemen explains: 

"By integrating sensing and microfluidic devices into the multi-well plate, we can drastically improve the drug development pipeline—reducing time, cost, and ethical concerns." 

The societal impact goes beyond pharmaceuticals, enabling applications in personalized medicine. For example, OoC could facilitate CAR-T cell therapy and other breakthroughs in cancer treatment. 

Advancing precision medicine and personalized therapies 

Looking towards the future, Holst Centre’s innovations hold promise for enabling precision medicine. OoC technology allows in-depth exploration of how individual cells respond to specific drugs. This capability is especially critical for developing personalized cancer therapies like CAR-T cell treatment, which could revolutionize the fight against cancer. 

Marcel Zevenbergen, Principal Member of Technical Staff, notes: 

"We believe in the transformative potential of OoC for tailored treatments. These technologies provide the tools to uncover deep insights into biological systems and advance personalized medicine." 

The advancements at Holst Centre underscore the growing importance of organ-on-chip technology in transforming the drug discovery process. By reducing reliance on animal testing and improving predictability, OoC technology ensures faster, safer, and more cost-effective drug development. 

"Our sensors are designed to maintain accuracy even in the most challenging biochemical conditions. This consistency ensures that our technology can reliably support groundbreaking innovations like organ-on-chip systems”, says Marcel.  

"Our mission is to make cutting-edge sensing devices accessible, paving the way for more innovative research and better patient outcomes," says Marcel Zevenbergen

As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in OoC and beyond, Holst Centre remains committed to delivering impactful innovations that benefit both science and society.