Use of in vitro Models for Discovery Research

A major research focus within the CPM is the application of advanced in vitro models for fundamental research on healthy physiologic processes and disease pathogenesis.  By better replicating in vivo tissues and organs, CPM teams aim to uncover fundamental rules of life, dissect pathogenic mechanisms of human disease, and identify novel therapeutic targets.  CPM researchers employ complex in vitro systems such as organoids, 3D cultures, and organ-on-chip platforms, alongside patient-derived cells and genome engineering methods, to recreate the microenvironments found in heathy tissues and human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and immune-related conditions. These models allow us to study disease mechanisms in human-relevant settings, capturing interactions between multiple cell types, genetic variation, and dynamic cues that are not possible in standard cultures. By integrating advanced imaging, functional readouts, and molecular profiling, our teams are uncovering how diseases progress and respond to interventions.