organ-Chip model

Duodenum
Intestine-Chip

Study drug absorption and drug-drug interactions in a primary organoid-based model of the human small intestine

Duodenum Intestine‑Chip Overview

Current preclinical models offer limited predictivity when studying intestinal absorption and safety risk of orally administered drugs due to a reliance on immortalized cell lines

The Duodenum Intestine-Chip is the only commercial model of the human small intestine to incorporate pre-qualified biopsy-derived primary organoids and duodenal endothelial cells with mechanical forces to emulate in vivo physiology. The model is being applied to study duodenal physiology, drug absorption, and drug-drug interactions to improve clinical translation.

A recolored scanning electron microscopy image of human small intestine cells in the Duodenum Intestine-Chip, with a turqoise goblet cell in the middle, surrounded by other epithelial cells in pink.

Characterization

An improved model of the human duodenum

The Duodenum Intestine-Chip combines primary human duodenal organoids and small intestine microvascular endothelial cells with mechanical forces that recreate intestinal peristalsis. In this dynamic microenvironment, cells become well-polarized and exhibit in vivo-like morphology, functionality, and gene expression, while allowing for access to the apical surface. 

Benefits

A human-based advanced cell model

By using primary human cells, the Duodenum Intestine-Chip more closely models human characteristics, overcoming the translational challenges of animal models caused by species differences and differences in gene expression.

Human-relevant transcriptomic profile

Gene expression in the Duodenum Intestine-Chip more closely resembles in vivo tissue than organoids alone with significantly enriched pathways associated with metabolism, digestion, nutrient transport, and detoxification.

Physiologically relevant ratios of major cell types

Major intestinal epithelial cell types—absorptive enterocytes, enteroendocrine cells, goblet cells, and Paneth cells—are present and functional on-chip in physiologically relevant ratios, with improved differentiation compared to organoids alone.

Improved intestinal barrier formation

The Duodenum Intestine-Chip forms a functional intestinal barrier with well-defined epithelial tight junctions and in vivo-like permeability, in contrast to poorly defined tight junctions seen in standard cell culture.

Physiologically relevant morphology and cytoarchitecture

Unlike Caco-2 models, the Duodenum Intestine-Chip closely resembles in vivo duodenal epithelium cytoarchitecture, including well-polarized and cobblestone-like morphology, villi-like structures, and a well-developed continuous brush border with densely packed microvilli.

Part of the Human Emulation System®

The Human Emulation System is comprised of instruments, consumables, and software in a flexible, open format. The user-friendly platform gives researchers a window into the inner workings of human biology.

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Get Started Today

Experience the predictive power of Organ-on-a-Chip technology. Gain deeper insights by incorporating the Duodenum Intestine-Chip in your lab workflow or having our team of scientists design and execute a study to meet your needs.

Bio-Kit

Includes chip, reagents, and qualified cells.

Services

Standard services and custom collaboration projects available.

Basic Kit

Includes chips and reagents for use with customer cell sourcing.

Featured Resource

Technical Note: Duodenum Intestine-Chip for Modeling Human Physiology

Learn how the Duodenum Intestine-Chip can be applied to emulate the complex functions and physiology of the human intestine.