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Organoids are 3-dimensional tiny versions of human organs that scientists can grow in the lab. They are made from stem cells and help researchers study how our tissues work, study disease, and even explore ways to repair damaged organs. Until now, growing organoids has required an animal-derived gel called Matrigel, which is expensive, variable, and unsuitable for clinical use.
In this research, we discovered that a small part of a natural bacterial protein, called invasin, can activate molecules on the surface of human cells called integrins. When this single integrin-binding domain is exposed to organoid cultures, it stimulates the growth of many different types of human epithelial organoids — all without the need for any animal-derived material.
This finding represents an important step toward fully defined, animal-free organoid cultures. Such defined systems will make organoid technology more reliable, affordable, and suitable for clinical use — including personalized medicine, cell transplantation, and drug testing.