Gut-Brain-On-Chip Modeling Service

The bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, known as the gut-brain axis, is a critical regulator of human health and a key contributor to a wide range of pathologies. Investigating this intricate network is profoundly challenging; animal models often fail to translate due to species-specific differences in physiology and immune responses, while conventional static co-cultures lack the dynamic microenvironment and multi-lineage complexity of the native human system. This has created a significant bottleneck in understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other disorders linked to gut-brain dysregulation.

Creative Biolabs is leading the way in overcoming these limitations with our advanced Gut-Brain-on-Chip Modeling Service. By integrating human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived intestinal and neural tissues within a sophisticated microfluidic platform, we have engineered a functional in vitro replica of the human gut-brain axis. This provides an unparalleled, human-relevant system to dissect physiological crosstalk, model complex disease states, and accelerate the development of next-generation therapeutics.

A High-Fidelity Reconstruction of the Gut-Brain Interface

Our Gut-Brain-on-Chip platform is a meticulously engineered microphysiological system (MPS) designed to recapitulate the core components and interactions of the human gut-brain axis.

1. Human iPSC-Derived Intestinal Epithelium: We generate a polarized, perfusable intestinal barrier using patient-derived or healthy donor iPSCs. This living tissue contains a diverse population of key intestinal cell types, including absorptive enterocytes, mucus-producing goblet cells, and hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells, accurately modeling the functionality of the human gut lining.
2. Integrated Human Neural and Neurovascular Component: We incorporate a multi-lineage neural system to model the complex signaling environment of the gut-brain axis. This modular design allows for unparalleled customization to meet your specific research objectives:
   • Diverse Neuronal Populations: Depending on your focus, we can integrate various neuronal types, including enteric neurons to model intrinsic gut motility, sensory neurons to study visceral signaling, or even entire brain organoids to investigate the central nervous system's response to gut-derived factors.
   • Modeling the Neurovascular Unit and Neuroinflammation: To create a truly comprehensive model, we can further enrich the neural compartment with key non-neuronal cells. This is critical for studying the full spectrum of gut-brain communication:
     • Astrocytes and Microglia: The inclusion of these primary glial cells is essential for modeling neuro-inflammatory processes. This allows for the investigation of how gut-derived signals—such as microbial metabolites or pro-inflammatory cytokines—modulate the CNS immune response and affect neuronal health.
     • Endothelial Cells and Pericytes: By incorporating these vascular cell types, we can reconstruct a functional, human-specific blood-brain barrier (BBB) on-chip. This advanced feature is crucial for studying the transport of nutrients, hormones, and drugs from the "gut side" to the "brain side," as well as for modeling the breakdown of BBB integrity seen in many neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.
3. Dynamic Microfluidic Environment: The "on-a-chip" design allows for continuous perfusion, mimicking the dynamic luminal flow and vascular circulation of the gut. This not only enhances the physiological relevance and long-term viability of the tissues but also allows for precise control over experimental conditions and the sampling of secreted factors.

A Validated Platform for Diverse Disease Modeling & Therapeutic Discovery

Our Gut-Brain-on-Chip models provide actionable data across a spectrum of high-impact therapeutic areas.

• Neurodegenerative Diseases: Investigate the "gut-first" hypothesis of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Model how gut-derived inflammation, microbial metabolites, or pathological proteins (e.g., α-synuclein) can influence neuronal health and disease progression in the CNS.
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Model the cellular basis of conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Our platform is ideal for studying visceral hypersensitivity, neuro-immune interactions, and the impact of inflammation on both enteric and central neurons.
• Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders: Study the secretion of key gut hormones (e.g., GLP-1, PYY) from enteroendocrine cells and their direct impact on neural circuits that regulate appetite, satiety, and metabolic homeostasis.
• Pharmacokinetics and Drug Safety: Evaluate the permeability, efficacy, and potential neurotoxicity of orally administered drugs. Assess whether gut-targeted compounds have unintended off-target effects on the nervous system, or vice-versa, in a controlled, human-relevant system.

Our Workflow

Unravel the Complexity of the Gut-Brain Axis. Accelerate Your Path to Discovery

Leverage the power of human-specific organ-on-a-chip technology to gain unprecedented insights into disease and validate your next therapeutic breakthrough.

Consult Our Gut-Brain Axis Specialists

Reference

1. Guo, Yuxi et al. "The Gut-Organ-Axis Concept: Advances the Application of Gut-on-Chip Technology." International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,4 4089. 17 Feb. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms24044089. Distributed under Open Access License CC BY 4.0 without modification.