Satomi Matsumoto

We are focusing on recapitulating liver function in vitro by mimicking both the physical environment, such as the arrangement of blood vessels and cells in the liver, and the chemical environment, such as diffusion and concentration gradients of substances. Specifically, using microfluidic technology, we are developing a biomimetic device capable of three-dimensionally vascularizing liver spheroids including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. By reproducing transvascular drug introduction and diffusion in the device, we are trying to develop a drug discovery system that is more sensitive to hepatotoxicity than current models used in pre-clinical tests. In the future, we plan to introduce liver-specific immune cells and apply them to pathological models such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.