Does all Disease Begin in the Gut? Monitoring the Barrier Function of an In Vitro Gut Mimic Webinar
May 23, 2024, at 12:00 PM ETAbstract
Nearly 2500 years ago Hippocrates stated, “all disease begins in the gut”. We now understand that impairment of the barrier function of the gastrointestinal (GI) wall can have widespread repercussions on other organs in the body (e.g., brain and liver). To better explore the intricate relationships between the GI barrier and other organs, a predictive in vitro gut model is necessary. In this webinar, a Locsense scientist will evaluate the requirements of a representative GI mimic and provide a protocol to fabricate this in vitro model. Additionally, we will discuss impedance spectroscopy as a measurement tool to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to analyze GI barrier function. Finally, we demonstrate the physiological relevance of the in vitro gut model by using chemical compounds to modulate the GI barrier function.
Key Points
- Impairment of the barrier function of the GI barrier can have widespread repercussions on other organs in the body.
- Impedance measurements offer a way to measure how strong the GI barriers are and whether they are intact.
- This physiologically relevant in vitro gut model can be used to identify the toxicity of exogenous compounds for the digestive system.
Presenter
Eline Geervliet
Application Scientist, Locsense
At Locsense, Eline Geervliet, bridges the gap between scientific research and practical applications. There, her primary goal is to improve in vitro detection of several toxicological models, thereby reducing the necessity for in vivo testing. Eline Geervliet is finishing her PhD at the University of Twente, in close collaboration with RWTH Aachen, where she developed novel in vitro models to mimic different organs to investigated novel therapeutic targets. She received her Masters at the University of Twente, where she investigated pH-responsive smart polymersomes for MMP-1 delivery and treatment of liver cirrhosis.
