Developing bioelectronic sensors for 3D in vitro models at the air liquid interface: Innovative technology for biomedical and respiratory research.
type: CreativeWork
description: Respiratory diseases and airborne infections are significant global health issues and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory diseases rank as the third leading cause of death globally, with over 10 million deaths per year attributed to respiratory illnesses. Chronic respiratory conditions are characterized by aberrant immune and epithelial barrier function, leading to respiratory inflammation and tissue damage. Despite substantial progress in identifying therapeutic targets and drug candidates, the efficacy of novel treatments in clinical trials remains low. One of the reasons for this, is that the current gold standard models of human disease used for drug screening rely on two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and/or animal testing. However, neither of these models accurately reflects the native microenvironment of human tissues. Recent advancements in bioengineering have resulted in the development of *in vitro* tissue models that more closely mimic the native tissue microenvironment. These frameworks include the development of extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, microfluidics, and three dimensional (3D) organoids. However, the clinical translatability of these models is limited by the lack of sensor technologies capable of monitoring them non-invasively and in real time. Gold standard analysis techniques rely on sample labelling or destructive end-point analysis, while electronic methods require large, rigid electrode materials that are ill adapted to soft 3D microarchitecture. Additionally, these electronics require submersion in an electrolyte for operation, which is inadequate for native air-liquid interfaced tissue such as the lungs. In this context, the goal of this thesis project was to address these challenges from multiple angles and in a multidisciplinary manner. The first goal was biology-focused and aimed at transitioning from 2D monocultures to a multicellular 3D model. The deve…
abstract: Respiratory diseases and airborne infections are significant global health issues and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory diseases rank as the third leading cause of death globally, with over 10 million deaths per year attributed to respiratory illnesses. Chronic respiratory conditions are characterized by aberrant immune and epithelial barrier function, leading to respiratory inflammation and tissue damage. Despite substantial progress in identifying therapeutic targets and drug candidates, the efficacy of novel treatments in clinical trials remains low. One of the reasons for this, is that the current gold standard models of human disease used for drug screening rely on two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and/or animal testing. However, neither of these models accurately reflects the native microenvironment of human tissues. Recent advancements in bioengineering have resulted in the development of *in vitro* tissue models that more closely mimic the native tissue microenvironment. These frameworks include the development of extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, microfluidics, and three dimensional (3D) organoids. However, the clinical translatability of these models is limited by the lack of sensor technologies capable of monitoring them non-invasively and in real time. Gold standard analysis techniques rely on sample labelling or destructive end-point analysis, while electronic methods require large, rigid electrode materials that are ill adapted to soft 3D microarchitecture. Additionally, these electronics require submersion in an electrolyte for operation, which is inadequate for native air-liquid interfaced tissue such as the lungs. In this context, the goal of this thesis project was to address these challenges from multiple angles and in a multidisciplinary manner. The first goal was biology-focused and aimed at transitioning from 2D monocultures to a multicellular 3D model. The deve…
author: Barron, Sarah
language: eng
keywords: 3D in vitro models, Air liquid interface, Bioelectronics, Epithelial barriers, Organic electronics, Respiratory disease
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/3aee1712-dbd5-4305-a359-9eb61bd337ec/download
license: http://purl.org/NET/rdflicense/allrightsreserved
date published: 2023-05-01
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:07Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.105543