The research projects must be carried out in Baden-Württemberg or with the participation of institutions from Baden-Württemberg. This year's participants are:

Prof. Dr. Petra Kluger from the Faculty of Life Sciences at Reutlingen University: She is developing an in vitro 3D adipose tissue model. This is based on human stem cells from obese donors. The model is used for drug testing.

Dr. Luigi Marongiu and Dr. Markus Burkard from the Institute of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Hohenheim are developing a large intestine-like tissue model (colonoid) to study diseases triggered by bacteria.

Dr. Andrew Clark from the Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology at the University of Stuttgart is developing an alternative to the use of Matrigel, which is still commonly applied as a growth medium in the production of organoids. Matrigel is derived from the purified secretion of a malignant mouse cancer cell line. The so-called Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells are implanted in the mice. A tumor forms spontaneously, which is further multiplied by transplantation into other mice. Although a cell line for continued culture of the sarcoma cells was already established from this in 2004, which can preserve the ability to form tumors in vivo. However, the cells are repeatedly used to form the sarcoma in the mouse, thereby allowing the Matrigel to be secreted. The alternative culture system being developed here will be tested in the study of intestinal barrier function.

Source:
https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/presse/pressemitteilung/pid/land-foerdert-drei-projekte-zur-vermeidung-von-tierversuchen