Webinar : 2D vs. 3D – Assessment of hepatotoxicity in an advanced in vitro liver model

Webinar Overview

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are highly specialized endothelial cells that play a crucial role in liver homeostasis and immunity. Their significant contribution to liver function makes them essential in understanding hepatotoxicity, particularly the unexpected toxicity observed in drug candidates. However, the use of LSECs in vitro is often limited due to challenges with cell yield and their restricted proliferation capacity.

In the first part, Dr. Martin Raasch will present insights into the development of an advanced liver organ model, focusing on:

• Suitable cell types and culture conditions for transient expansion of primary human upcyte® LSECs.
• Data on acetaminophen toxicity detection at millimolar concentrations using expandable upcyte® LSECs and upcyte® hepatocytes.
• A comparison of test results from static 2D cultures and microphysiological 3D models.

In the second part, Dr. Quentin Lemasson will highlight:

• The characteristics and advantages of using upcyte® LSECs and hepatocytes.
• An overview of the IxCyte and upcyte® projects, showcasing their benefits for scalability and reproducibility in laboratory research.
• Practical applications and how these innovative tools are transforming liver toxicity studies. 

Our First Speaker

Dr. Martin Raasch is CEO and Co-founder of Dynamic42, a biotech company specialized in human, in vitro organ-on-chip models. He has been working and researching with on-chip cell culture applications since 2010 as part of his Master Thesis in Biochemistry at Leipzig University and intensified this research during his PhD in Cell Biology in the group of PD Dr. Alexander Mosig at Jena University Hospital (Germany). Here, he first-hand experienced the need for physiological, human blood vessel and organ models that properly represent the situation in vivo. Since 2021 he is also a board member of the European Organ-on-Chip Society (EUROoCS) where he is leading the working group on science and technology implementation.

Our Second Speaker 

Dr. Quentin Lemasson defended his doctoral thesis in 2023 on immune escape mechanisms involved in lymphoma’s development; during which he acquired complete skills in cell culture, and cell and molecular biology. He joined the Clinisciences group - Oncomedics to set up and develop Upcyte technology and IxCyte services. He is proficient in cell culture, has practised the culture of LSECs and Hepatocytes, and is experienced at testing the expected characteristics of upcyted and modified cells for IxCyte projects.