Nearly 200 researchers, innovators and stakeholders from across academia, industry and the wider research community gathered at Queen Mary University of London's Charterhouse Square campus for the UK Organ-On-A-Chip Annual Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models (CPM).

The symposium brought together experts developing the next generation of human-relevant in vitro models, with presentations highlighting advances in organ-on-a-chip technologies, disease modelling, safety assessment and new approach methodologies.

The programme featured a keynote presentation from Professor Cathy Vickers, Head of Innovation at NC3Rs, exploring developments and opportunities in the NAMs landscape. Attendees also heard invited lectures from Dr Ben Johnson presenting on behalf of Professor Christine Mummery (Leiden University), Prof Chris Denning (University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute), and Prof Amir Ghaemmaghami (University of Nottingham).

Other speakers selected from submitted abstracts included Dr Ed Carter, who discussed pancreatic cancer models incorporating pain-related readouts, and Dr Catrin Bevan, who showcased emerging organ-chip models of tendon biology.

The poster session provided opportunities for networking and collaboration between researchers, industry partners and technology developers, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

The event was organised by Professor Julien Gautrot and supported by a range of sponsors and partners, including the RSPCA, CN Bio, Emulate, CELLINK, Exciting Instruments and ioLight Compact Microscopes. Their support helped facilitate a day of scientific exchange, networking and discussion around the future of advanced human model systems.

The symposium also provided an opportunity to welcome the second cohort of doctoral researchers joining the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technology (COaCT). The new students will undertake industry-linked PhD projects spanning organ-on-a-chip technologies and other advanced in vitro model systems, helping to build the next generation of researchers in the field.

As interest in human-relevant model systems continues to accelerate, the annual symposium remains an important forum for sharing innovations, building collaborations and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers and technologies.