QM+Emulate Centre Research Projects

The Queen Mary+Emulate Organs-on-Chips Centre hosts an expanding range of research and development projects and has helped win over £3M of research funding since opening in 2019. The Centre is open for use by external academic institutions and industry and can help support research projects by providing access to Emulate facilities, support from our Centre Scientists and routes to commercialisation.

On this page:

• Current projects
• Completed projects

Current Projects

Advancing Human Synovial Joint Chips Primary Investigator: Dr Karina Wright Keele University Co-investigators: Prof Sally Roberts Keele University   Dr Charlotte Hulme Keele University   Dr Clare Thompson Queen Mary University of London Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Development of a synovium-chondrocyte organ-on-a-chip model with integrated biomechanical stimulation Primary Investigator: Prof Hazel Screen Queen Mary University of London Co-investigators: Dr Clare Thompson Queen Mary University of London   Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London Funder: EPSRC OA Tech Network Plus - Pump Priming Grant

Emulate-Bladder: A new dynamic in vitro human bladder model Primary Investigator: Prof Mark Chambers University of Surrey Co-investigators: Prof Hardev Pandha University of Surrey   Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London   Dr Guy Simpson University of Surrey   Dr Clare Thompson Queen Mary University of London Funder: The Organ-on-a-chip Technologies Network

Establishing an 'old' and 'young' alveolar model to assess the impact of senescence on immunity to viruses Primary Investigator: Dr Emma Chambers Queen Mary University of London Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Feasibility study to assess the use of organ-on-a-chip technology for optimization of radiotherapy cancer treatment. Primary Investigator: Prof Giuseppe Schettino University of Surrey Co-investigators: Dr Eirini Velliou University of Surrey   Dr Priyanka Gupta University of Surrey   Dr Miriam Barry National Physical Laboratory (NPL)   Ms Chiara De Lucia University of Surrey / NPL Funder: The Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies Network

Generation and validation of a urine-derived, personalised kidney-on-chip model for kidney disease and nephrotoxicity. Primary Investigator: Prof John Sayer Newcastle University Co-investigator: Dr Elisa Molinari Newcastle University Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Interrogating the role of hydrolases on colonic barrier dysfunction Primary Investigator: Dr Rachael Barry Imperial College London Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Investigating the role of tumour associated myeloid cells on malignant cell invasion in a metastatic high-grade serous ovarian cancer-on-chip model Primary Investigator: Prof Fran Balkwill Queen Mary University of London Co-investigator: Dr Mina Mincheva Queen Mary University of London Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Mechanical regulation of synoviocyte response to pro-inflammatory cytokines and development of a synovium-cartilage chip Primary Investigator: Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London Co-investigators: Prof Hazel Screen Queen Mary University of London   Dr Clare Thompson Queen Mary University of London Funder: CONACyT PhD Studentship (2019-2023)

Novel Models of Tendinopathy on a Chip Primary Investigator: Prof Hazel Screen Queen Mary University of London Co-investigators: Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London   Dr Clare Thompson Queen Mary University of London Funder: CONACyT PhD Studentship (2019-2023)

Organ-on-a-chip model to investigate breast cancer bone metastases Primary Investigator: Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London Co-investigator: Dr Oliver Pearce Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Funder: Cancer Research UK & EPSRC (Multidisciplinary Award)

Organ-on-a-chip models for safety testing of regenerative medicine products Primary Investigator: Prof Hazel Screen Queen Mary University of London Co-investigators: Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London   Prof Alicia El Haj University of Birmingham Funder: MRC Medical Research Council

Understanding the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in severe COVID-19 Primary Investigator: Prof Daniel Pennington Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Co-investigator: Dr Neil McKarthy Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Funder: Emulate Covid19 Initiative

Completed Projects

Development of a human placental artery-on-a-chip to study placental vascular function in reproductive toxicology and pregnancy diseases Primary Investigator: Dr Teresa TROPEA University of Manchester Co-investigators: Dr Paul Brownbill University of Manchester   Dr Virginia Pensebene University of Leeds Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Production and validation of a bovine lung-on-a-chip to study bovine respiratory diseases Primary Investigator: Prof Mark Chambers University of Surrey Co-investigators: Dr Diane Lee University of Surrey   Prof Geoff Smith North Carolina State University   Prof Ronald Baynes North Carolina State University Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Precision reprogramming of immune cell metabolism to reduce inflammation and repolarise organ microenvironment using small molecules and metabolic intermediates. Primary Investigator: Dr Kataryzna Swist-Szulik Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Funder: Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC)

Investigating the diagnostic and drug-screening potential of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition during liver fibrosis. Primary Investigator: Dr Neil Dufton William Harvey Research Institute – QMUL Co-investigator: Dr James Whiteford William Harvey Research Institute – QMUL Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Modelling anti-fungal immunity in the human intestine Primary Investigator: Dr Neil McCarthy Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Co-investigators: Prof Carol Munro University of Aberdeen   Prof Daniel Pennington Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Funder: Emulate/Organ-on-a-chip Network Proof-of-concept Award

Development of an organ-on-a-chip model for bone Primary Investigator: Prof Martin Knight Queen Mary University of London Co-investigators: Dr Cleo Bishop Queen Mary University of London   Dr Stefaan Verbruggen Queen Mary University of London Funder: BBSRC LIDo PhD Studentship (Rotation project)