Resource Development Core

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (CORE III - RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT) The goal of this Resource Development Core (RDC) is to establish a dynamic environment to overcome critical challenges in PKD organoid technology, including throughput, variability, scalability, and physiological relevance, thus enabling increased numbers of researchers to conduct studies of greater significance. As the original inventors of PKD organoids, we understand the excitement that comes with innovation, and how important it is for the field. We also know exactly where the shortcomings of this technology lie. While PKD organoids are an astounding breakthrough, with great potential to guide the field towards true PKD mechanisms and efficacious therapeutics, this technology remains relatively new (discovered in 2014) and is not yet fully realized. Chief amongst our concerns are limitations on throughput and scalability: PKD organoids cannot yet be cryopreserved for easy distribution, and there is substantial variability from one organoid to the next. There are also physiological concerns, for instance, organoid cysts tend to form inside-out, with their apical surface facing the media. There is no concerted effort anywhere in the world to address these technological limitations. We know from experience this will not be easy, and cannot be accomplished by a Core Center working on many different types of systems without a clear focus. For this reason, we have focused this Resource Development Core (RDC), and the project in general, on the important task of improving and enabling PKD organoid technology. We will draw upon our long experience in this field, deep knowledge of the topic area, and input from our respected colleagues at the PKD RRC, to bring forward the most impactful innovations in the area of kidney organoid technology. Our cutting-edge capabilities in bioengineering, organoid differentiation, automation, machine learning, and signaling tools will be harnessed to make PKD organoids more consistent, physiologically relevant, scalable, and accessible. This will feed back into our Products & Services Core, producing 2.0 versions of these technologies, and making it more efficient and cost-effective. We will inspire our scientists to become disruptive innovators and bold creators, within a startup-like think tank environment. Our Specific Aims are to (1) Create a dynamic environment for discussion of pressing needs to prioritize application of PKD-InVent RDC resources, and (2) Identify ways to expand and optimize technologies to augment the resources offered by the Organoid Products and Services Core. The RDC will implement a formal structure to gather input from stakeholders and a rigorous process to prioritize projects. Conceptually, our technological innovations fall into two major areas: creating more scalable and higher throughput in vitro models, and expanding the reach and relevance of in-a-dish and on-a-chip models.