Assistant Professor Hyun Jung Kim, based at Cleveland Clinic, specialises in inducing differentiation in human cultured cells to create tissue structures resembling the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This approach aids in studying interactions between microbes and the GI system.
Dr. Kim highlights a surprising discovery: ordinary immortalised cultured cells can differentiate and form structures akin to a gut-on-a-chip. These “guts-on-a-chip” are instrumental in studying diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Moreover, introducing a microbiome to the gut-on-a-chip allows for the retention of bacterial diversity, a feat not achievable in a standard test tube.
The potential of gut-on-a-chip technology extends to personalised medicine, offering valuable insights into individualised treatments. Dr. Kim also reflects on the aspects of Texas that he misses since relocating from there.
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