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Single-cell technology increases animal welfare
Lab animals are essential to be able to learn more about how an organ functions, yet the future may hold and alternative: organoids. These mini organs should be able to replace lab animals. The organoids need to be optimised first though, and single-cell technologyis helping to achieve that. In this technique that Wageningen University & Research (WUR) uses the genes of one single cell are deciphered.
How do a fish’s intestines absorb nutrients and what happens in the intestines of a pig if it becomes infected, for example with a virus? If researchers want to investigate such topics, they need lab animals. If we want to use fewer lab animals in the future, we need to look for alternatives.
According to Animal Breeding & Genomics professor Martien Groenen, organoids could be the answer. Organoids are artificially grown, smaller, simplified versions of the organ, created by using stem cells that are cultivated in the lab. Groenen works with associate professor Ole Madsen on characterising organoids, including those for pigs and fish. By figuring out the make-up of the mini organs, they can help other groups within WUR develop better organoids.
Ideally, you want the cultured tissue to be just as complex and complete as the intestinal tissue