Researchers develop organ-like tissues in labs with the help of silkworms

Photo byPhoto by Rajnish Kumar Singh on Unsplash

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new silk-based ultrathin membrane for use in organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models to replicate the natural environment of cells and tissues. This membrane, significantly thinner than traditional polymer membranes, has shown promise in improving the functionality and accuracy of these models, especially for studying kidney diseases.

OOC systems, compact devices that simulate the functions of human organs, have become crucial for studying cell behaviour, organ function, and disease. However, conventional polymer membranes used in these systems are typically 30 to 50 microns thick, much thicker than natural extracellular matrices. This excess thickness can obstruct cell communication and growth, limiting the effectiveness of these models.

To address this, the Duke team utilized silk fibroin, a silkworm protein, to create a membrane five microns thick. This material more closely mimics the natural extracellular matrix in human tissues, enhancing cell growth and interaction.

The researchers tested this silk fibroin membrane on a kidney organ-on-a-chip platform designed to represent the glomerular capillary wall, a fundamental structure in kidney function. By incorporating the new membrane, they observed that human stem cell derivatives could more effectively form specialized kidney cells, such as glomerular cells and podocytes. The thin membrane allowed for better cellular communication and functionality, including forming endothelial fenestrations crucial for fluid filtration.

This advancement holds significant potential for improving disease modelling and drug testing. The researchers aim to use this technology to develop more accurate models of kidney diseases and other conditions, potentially leading to new insights and treatments. The application of this silk-based membrane could extend to other organ-on-a-chip models, offering a versatile tool for biomedical research.