Dynamic modeling in

organoids
Organoids are three-dimensional cultures composed of many cell types. They may be
derived from stem cells or patient tissues, including tumors of a represented organ or
tissue. This poster summarizes key examples in which organoids have been used to
model aspects of human disease and potential therapeutic applications.

INFECTION REGENERATION
LUNG Human alveolospheres have been KIDNEY Long-term establishment of normal
Alveolosphere
(AT2s expansion) used to recapitulate SARS-CoV-2 renal organoids can lead to pioneering
infection, which resulted in a loss of replacement strategies.
AT2 to AT1
differentiation
surfactants and AT2 cell death. Since kidney organoids can replicate the
Interferon treatment recapitulated complex architecture of the organ, they
these features of SARS-CoV-2 can be used as excellent models for
infection.1 tissue engineering studies. 7
EMERGING MEDICAL TRENDS
AT2 differentiation

INTESTINE SARS-CoV-2 productively infected LIVER A CRISPR screen using engineered The science and culture of organoids has matured to the extent that there are
proliferating cells and enterocytes biliary epithelial cell (BEC) organoids now several applications in the discovery of human therapeutics.
Early enterocyte
in organoids derived from human identified regulators of liver
small intestine. regeneration after injury.
SECOND GENERATION MANIPULATIONS
Enterocyte

Goblet
Infection significantly upregulated Use of BEC organoids also led to the
Paneth
genes related to cellular response identification of heterogeneity, which Multiorganoid Monolayer
Enteroendocrine to virus.2 could support liver regeneration. 8 chips and air-liquid
interface (ALI)
LYMPHO-ORGANOID Upon transplantation, lympho-organoids cultures
BRAIN Brain choroid plexus organoids have
integrated into the endogenous lymphatic
been used to show that SARS-CoV-2
drainage system.
Optogenetics
can disrupt epithelial integrity and
barrier function. Transplanted organoids supported
activation of antigen-specific immune
Virus infection disrupted the blood- responses, acquiring the properties of Large-scale
cerebrospinal fluid barrier. 3 native lymphoid tissues.9 organoid production
Assembloids in bioreactors

CANCER CONGENITAL DISORDERS Disease APPLICATIONS IN DRUG DISCOVERY

modeling
BRAIN TUMOR Cortical organoids have been used ANGELMAN SYNDROME Patient-derived cortical organoids were Personalized
as an experimental platform for used to model neuronal maturation and medicine
studying properties of tumor cells. showed neuronal hyperexcitability.
Transplantation of labeled glioma Drugs directed at potassium channels Regenerative
brain tumor cells into cortical corrected this phenotype, suggesting Drug medicine
organoids revealed tumorigenic that channelopathies may underlie screening
properties of radial glia-like cells.4 +Drug epilepsy in Angelman syndrome.10
A C
Pre-clinical *
COLON CANCER Colorectal cancer organoids have MICROCEPHALY Patient-derived cerebral organoids
screening
with specific mutations may be used
been used to study metastatic
to model aspects of microcephaly. Lead optimization
colonization. Genetic correction
Efficacy/toxicity testing
The intrinsic plasticity of metastatic Organoids from patients with abnormal Pharmacokinetics
cells, which is indispensable for spindle-like microcephaly (ASPM)-associated
long-term metastatic outgrowth, dysfunction showed disrupted cortical
was demonstrated. 5 development and neuronal function. 11
Poster designed by Paul Osimo. Concept and content by Prithi Rajan, Cell Stem Cell.
Watermark adapted from Qian et al. (2016), Cell.

METASTASIS Lung organoids have been used to CONGENITAL Malabsorption of macronutrients in the
create a screening platform to test MALABSORPTION intestine requires drastic interventions. REFERENCES
treatments for metastasis.
Intestinal organoids demonstrated 1. Katsura et al. (2020), Cell Stem Cell 27, 890–904 7. Grassi et al. (2019), Cell Death and Disease 10, 201–216

Labeled primary ovarian cancer cells the role of enteroendocrine cells and 2. Lamers et al. (2020), Science 369, 50–54 8. Planas-Paz et al. (2019), Cell Stem Cell 25, 39–53
3. Pellegrini et al. (2020), Cell Stem Cell 27, 951–961 9. Lenti et al. (2019), Stem Cell Reports 12, 1260–1268
incorporated in these lung organoids secreted peptides in this condition. 12 4. Bhaduri et al. (2020), Cell Stem Cell 26, 48–63 10. Sun et al. (2019), Science 366, 1486–1492
matched clinical response in patients. 6 5. Fumagalli et al. (2020), Cell Stem Cell 26, 569–578 11. Li et al. (2017), Protein & Cell 8, 823–833
6. Ramamoorthy et al. (2019), Cancer Research 79, 1681–1695 12. McCauley et al. (2020), Nature Communications 11, 4791–4801

A more relevant model | By combining a high degree of physiological relevance with the convenience and tools of in STEMCELL Technologies supports organoid researchers with For additional information on organoids, including protocols,
vitro experimentation, organoids are providing powerful model systems for studying various human tissues. In many high-quality cell culture media and kits that enable robust reviews, webinars, and more, visit: www.stemcell.com/organoids
cases, organoid systems enable researchers to study human biology directly in human tissues by helping to overcome
of organoid cultures. STEMCELL Technologies is committed to making sure your
the technical or ethical hurdles that would be involved with the study of certain primary tissues. Also contributing to the Material: 700-0233
research works. As Scientists Helping Scientists, we support our
adoption of organoids across a wide array of research areas is the growing list of tools for manipulating organoids, including Document: 10000009454
To explore STEMCELL's tools and media for culturing organoids, customers by creating novel products with consistent, unfailing Version: 00
visit: www.stemcell.com/organoid-products quality and by providing unparalleled technical support. POSTERDYNMODORG