Innovative Cancer-on-a-Chip Model Revolutionizes Cancer Research
Eindhoven, Thursday, 6 March 2025.
PhD researcher Mohammad Jouybar advances cancer research with a cutting-edge cancer-on-a-chip model, providing ethical, cost-effective insights into tumor behavior and therapeutic testing.
Breakthrough in Cancer Research Technology
Mohammad Jouybar, a biomedical engineer at TU Eindhoven, has successfully developed and defended an innovative cancer-on-a-chip technology that presents a significant advancement in cancer research methodology. On February 7th, 2025, Jouybar defended his PhD thesis titled ‘Cancer-on-Chip Technologies: Models of Tumor Microenvironments (TME), Metastasis, and Therapeutic Testing’ [3]. This technology represents a crucial shift in cancer research, offering a more ethical and cost-effective alternative to traditional animal testing methods that have been prevalent in the field for the past 15 years [1].
Technical Innovation and Implementation
The cancer-on-a-chip model incorporates sophisticated design elements, including cancer cells in microchannels, surrounding hydrogel tissue, and neighboring microchannels that simulate blood vessels [1]. The device, measuring just 2-3 cm², contains vessels ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers in diameter, precisely mimicking the dimensions of actual tissue vessels [1]. Jouybar and his team employed advanced fabrication techniques, including femtosecond laser technology and 3D sugar printing, to achieve the precise circular geometries necessary for blood vessel replication [1].
Research Focus and Applications
The research specifically focused on breast cancer, particularly ductal carcinoma in situ, chosen for its prevalence and suitability for studying metastatic processes [1]. Through collaboration with Amsterdam UMC, the team developed a specialized Lymphoma-on-Chip model to investigate the immune microenvironment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) [3]. This collaborative effort revealed crucial insights into how fibroblastic reticular cells influence tumor cell survival, migration, and lymphatic vessel permeability [3].
Future Implications and Ongoing Development
The significance of this research extends beyond its immediate applications. Jouybar has now transitioned to a postdoctoral position at UMC-Utrecht, where he continues to advance the field by focusing on robotic arms for multiaxial bioprinting of orthopedic and cardiac tissue while maintaining his work with chip models [3]. This technology aligns with TU Eindhoven’s broader commitment to addressing healthcare challenges through technological innovation [2], representing a crucial step forward in developing more effective and personalized cancer treatments.