Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Fraunhofer IWS at the event: Microphysiolo­gical systems as an alternative to animal testing - Where do we stand?

On February 6^th, the Fraunhofer IWS hosted an information event at the Cosmo Science Forum Dresden on the topic of Microphysiological Systems as an Alternative to Animal Testing - Where Do We Stand?

Building on many years of collaboration, Dr Florian Schmieder (Fraunhofer IWS) and Dr Mario Schubert (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Dresden) moderated the evening. The focus was on the application and potential of microphysiological systems and multi-organ-on-chip systems in drug development.

A short round of introductions to the background of all participants was followed by a quiz on curiosities and interesting facts about animal testing. Various projects were then presented. Dipl. Stephan Behrens (Fraunhofer IWS) spoke about the fabrication and technology of microphysiological systems (MPS), Dr Pia Hönscheid (Pathology, UKD) gave exciting insights into the UKD's BioBank, PD Dr Claudia Dittfeld (Cardiac Surgery, TU Dresden) reported on the cultivation of aortic valves in the MPS, Dr Tina Florut (PETA) gave an exciting short lecture on the regulatory testing of drugs, and M.Sc. Oliver Gamm (PHT) from our institute presented his work on the simulation of hypoxia-reperfusion injury using human iPS cardiomyocytes.

© Fraunhofer IWS

© Fraunhofer IWS