(MRC CASE) Human-Optimised Organoid-on-Chip Models for Studying Hormonal Crosstalk Between Fallopian Tube and Vaginal Microbiome

About the Project

Gynaecological diseases remain under-researched compared to other conditions, despite their major impact on women’s health and wellbeing1. A key barrier to progress is the reliance on animal-derived products and oversimplified models that do not fully reflect human physiology. There is an urgent need for advanced, human-optimised systems2 that can recapitulate the complexity of gynaecological tissues and provide accurate insights into disease mechanisms and early indicators of pathology.

This project addresses this gap by developing a human-optimised, animal-product-reduced microfluidic platform to model gynaecological environments. Using Peptimatrix animal-free extracellular matrix3 in combination with a patented microfluidic technology, we will recreate physiologically relevant conditions of the female reproductive tract. Opened organoids will be integrated into the system, enabling long-term monitoring of secretions, tissue dynamics, and host–microbe interactions in a context that mirrors human biology.

The platform is versatile, supporting the study of a range of gynaecological conditions, from early pre-malignant changes to infection dynamics, while allowing introduction of disease-relevant stimuli and the tracking of biochemical responses over time. This creates opportunities to detect subtle changes in luminal secretions that may act as candidate biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention.

This is a cross-faculty, interdisciplinary venture that unites expertise in organoid biology, microfluidics, mechanobiology, and disease modelling. Industry partnership with Peptimatrix provides access to state-of-the-art, animal-free ECM materials and training opportunities, ensuring the platform is robust, reproducible, and aligned with translational and ethical research standards.

By combining microfluidics, organoid technology, and animal-free materials, the project establishes a human-relevant research tool for studying gynaecological disease progression in real time, identifying early biomarkers, and accelerating the development of ethical, clinically meaningful diagnostics and treatments.