Animal-free matrix for organoids culturing

Abstract

Organoids are a revolutionary tool in the field of biology that provides researchers with a unique way to study the behavior and function of different organs and tissues. Organoids are created by growing cells in a 3D environment that mimics the structure and microenvironment of a specific organ. This allows researchers to observe and experiment with the cells in a way that more closely resembles what happens in the human body. One of the key components of the organoid culture is the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is the environment that surrounds the cells and influences their physical characteristics such as shape, protein expression, polarization, and orientation of the cell. In many cases, the ECM used in the lab is derived from animal sources, such as Matrigel, which is used for liver organoids, and Basement Membrane Extract, which is used for kidney tubuloids. However, there are drawbacks for using animal-derived ECMs, including potential ethical concerns and the difficulty in obtaining a consistent, high-quality ECM. As a result, there is a growing interest in finding alternative, animal-free ECMs that can be used to culture organoids. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of three animal-free alternatives, VitroGel, MaxGel, and BioGel for liver organoids, and VitroGel and MaxGel for kidney organoids, as potential replacements for animal-derived extracellular matrix. These materials have the potential to provide researchers with a more consistent and ethical way to study organoids and could lead to new discoveries and breakthroughs in our understanding of human biology.