R&D Projects

Our Research Projects

In order to generate innovative products that help improve diagnostic as well as analytical processes, microfluidic ChipShop dedicates its year-long expertise in the field of microfluidics to research projects on a regular basis. Below we introduce our contribution to ongoing research projects.

ARTHROSIS-ON-A-CHIP

System Engineering and Validation of a Microphysiological System Platform for Disease Modeling of Osteoarthrosis

Project Information

  • Funded by: EFRE – Program 2021-2027 Thuringia
  • Grant agreement ID: 1000237/ 2023 VFE 0043
  • Project period: 01.12.2023 – 30.11.2026
  • Project partners: Uniklinikum Jena, IBA Heiligenstadt

The aim of the research project “Arthrose-on-a-Chip” is to develop a chip-based arthrosis model. In this process, arthrosis, i.e., cartilage damage, is artificially induced on the chip. Subsequently, potential active substances can be tested on it. This system is intended to contribute to the reduction or even replacement of animal testing in the future.

The project “System Engineering and Validation of a Microphysiological System Platform for Disease Modeling of Osteoarthrosis – Arthrosis-on-a-Chip” is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).

UNLOOC

Collaborative Project: Sensor Platform for Biomedical Microchips

Project Information

UNLOOC is a 3-year project tackling the challenge inherent in animal testing of drugs. It brings together 51 organisations from 10 European countries. It is aiming to demonstrate through its five novel use cases how the groundbreaking methods using Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) technology enable the development of more effective treatments, leaving animal subjects out of the equation. The OOC technology to be developed in the UNLOOC project will not only enable controlled drug testing, but also the modelling of disease pathophysiology.

MOCHA

Mobile Organ-on-Chip Analytics

Project Information

The Organ-on-Chip technology merges microfluidics with 3D cell cultures, spheroids, and organoids to simulate an in vivo-like environment. Current systems rely on complex lab infrastructure and cannot integrate multiparametric sensors. The collaborative project ‘Mobile Organ-on-Chip Analytics’ (MOCHA) aims to develop a compact, chip-based analysis unit that incorporates both optical and non-optical methods for comprehensive monitoring.

Organ-on-Chip systems are key to advancing drug research by enabling safer, faster, and more cost-effective development using human cells. They also serve as models for disease and chemical risk assessment. This project is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).

3D-ToCA

Automated 3D-Tumor-on-a-Chip-Analysis, Tumor-on-Chip – microfluidic platform

Project Information

The project ‘Automated 3D-Tumor-on-a-Chip-Analysis’ (3D-ToCA) aims to develop a generic system solution based on 3D Organ-on-Chip technology and implement two tumor models to improve cancer therapy research. In this collaborative project, microfluidic ChipShop is responsible for the Tumor-on-Chip platform, which will feature high parallelization, easy handling, automated fluid management, integrated sensors, and long-term autonomous cultivation.

By combining the 3D-ToCA platform with biological and chemical methods, the project will enable the study of tumor evolution and drug testing using patient-derived material. This multidisciplinary approach links cutting-edge biotechnology with AI-powered analysis, offering significant potential for applications in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and cancer research. This project is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).