Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems have emerged as powerful microphysiological platforms capable of replicating tissue- and organ-level responses in vitro. These dynamic systems provide a physiologically relevant alternative to static in vitro assays and animal models, particularly in the context of probiotic research where host–microbe interactions, mucosal barrier integrity, and localized immune responses are central to study design. Creative Biolabs offers custom organ-on-a-chip development tailored specifically for probiotic investigation, enabling researchers to explore mechanistic insights into microbe–host interactions, metabolite influence, and gut barrier modulation with unmatched precision and flexibility.
Importance of Custom OoC Platforms for Probiotic Studies
Meeting the Demand for Functional Microbiome Research Tools
As the field of live biotherapeutics and next-generation probiotics advances, so does the need for accurate in vitro models that can mimic the human microenvironment. Conventional culture systems fall short in capturing the complex physiological interplay between microbial metabolites, epithelial responses, and immune cell recruitment. Custom organ-on-chip systems bridge this gap by:
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Simulating tissue–tissue and cell–microbe interactions under flow conditions
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Allowing precise control of parameters such as oxygen gradients, shear stress, and nutrient flow
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Supporting real-time monitoring of permeability, immune signaling, and metabolic exchange
These attributes are vital for evaluating how probiotic strains colonize, interact with epithelial or immune cells, and produce beneficial compounds, especially under disease-relevant or host-specific conditions.
Addressing the Growing Demand for Probiotic Mechanistic Insight
Pharmaceutical and academic researchers increasingly rely on predictive in vitro models to de-risk early discovery. Our tailored OoC solutions enable high-content functional screening, helping teams identify and validate probiotic effects on human-relevant endpoints—ranging from barrier reinforcement and cytokine modulation to epithelial cell turnover and bile acid transformation.
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Capabilities for Organ Chip Design & Fabrication
Creative Biolabs has established a robust organ chip development platform dedicated to the study of host–microbiome interactions. Every custom project is designed to reflect the client's target tissue, research question, and functional readouts. Our capabilities include:
Microfluidic System Engineering
We leverage advanced soft lithography, 3D printing, and PDMS molding technologies to create multi-channel, biocompatible microfluidic chips. Design specifications can incorporate:
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Parallel or stacked channel architectures
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Flow dynamics mimicking capillary or luminal environments
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Permeable membranes for epithelial or endothelial interfaces
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Integrated biosensors for TEER, O2, pH, or metabolite detection
Human Cell Type Integration
We support the incorporation of various human-derived cell types to replicate physiological structures:
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Gut-on-chip: iPSC-derived or primary intestinal epithelial cells, goblet cells, and Paneth cells
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Liver-on-chip: hepatocytes (e.g., HepaRG or iPSC-derived) with non-parenchymal cells
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Gut-liver axis: dual-channel co-culture for metabolic and transport studies
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Gut-immune interface: inclusion of macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells
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BBB-on-chip: endothelial barrier co-cultured with astrocytes and pericytes
All cell sources and differentiation protocols comply with research-grade quality standards.
Microbial Co-Culture Compatibility
Our organ chips are optimized for anaerobic and facultative probiotic strains, allowing the co-culture of human cells with:
Antibiotic-free co-culture, compartmentalized exposure, and mucus-producing interfaces can be implemented for physiological relevance.
Readout & Assay Integration
Each chip system is compatible with downstream analysis such as:
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Live cell imaging (confocal, fluorescence, phase contrast)
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Barrier integrity assays (TEER, FITC-dextran permeability)
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Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling
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Cytokine secretion analysis (ELISA, multiplex bead arrays)
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Metabolite profiling via LC-MS/MS or GC-MS
These readouts empower functional validation of probiotic activities under simulated gut, liver, or mucosal environments.
Workflow for Custom Organ Chip Projects
Our service follows a streamlined, modular workflow, allowing flexibility based on research needs:
What You'll Receive from Our Organ Chip Service
Creative Biolabs delivers comprehensive support and fully characterized systems to enable your downstream analyses. Clients typically receive:
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Custom-designed organ chip(s) with application-specific architecture
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SOPs for chip handling, seeding, and culture conditions
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Validated cell seeding protocols and microbial co-culture guidelines
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Integrated sensor readout calibration sheets
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QC reports including flow profile, cell viability, and chip integrity
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Optional pilot data from functional testing upon request
Applications in Probiotic Functional Studies
Barrier Function Modulation
Study how probiotics influence epithelial tight junctions, mucus secretion, and trans-epithelial permeability under controlled flow and shear conditions. TEER and fluorescent tracer assays offer quantifiable endpoints.
Immune Response Profiling
Evaluate cytokine secretion, immune cell activation, and tolerance pathways upon microbial stimulation. Integration of immune cell populations allows for detailed mapping of local immune dynamics in gut or mucosal chips.
Microbial Metabolite Evaluation
Quantify short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile salt hydrolase activity, or neurotransmitter precursors in real-time or post-culture. This is critical for linking metabolic output to host physiological effects.
Multi-Organ Axis Studies
Simulate gut-liver or gut-brain axes using interconnected chips to observe metabolite absorption, host detoxification pathways, and neuroimmune modulation, all in response to live microbial exposure.
Pathogen Exclusion & Competitive Inhibition
Model the inhibition of pathogens (e.g., E. coli, C. difficile) by probiotics under co-colonization conditions to study niche occupation, pH modulation, or bacteriocin secretion.
Strain-Specific Phenotyping
Assess and compare different probiotic strains for colonization efficiency, adhesion, immunomodulatory potential, and resilience to gut-like stressors in a physiologically relevant microenvironment.
Explore Related Microbiome Modeling Solutions
Creative Biolabs offers an extensive array of tools and services for microbiome–host interaction research:
At Creative Biolabs, we understand that each research project has unique objectives. Whether you're developing next-generation probiotics, dissecting host–microbe communication, or optimizing strain selection, our organ chip customization service provides the precision and flexibility required for impactful results.
Get a Quote or contact us directly to discuss your project requirements. Our team is ready to help you build the next generation of physiologically relevant microbiome models.
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FAQs
What is the organ-on-a-chip design?
Organ-on-a-chip refers to a microfluidic device that mimics key physiological features of human organs. It integrates living cells, porous membranes, and dynamic fluid flow to replicate tissue-level functions for studying host–microbe interactions in vitro.
What types of probiotic strains can be incorporated into custom organ chips?
Our systems support anaerobic and facultative strains, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and engineered microbes. We tailor microenvironments to maintain viability and function under physiologically relevant conditions.
Can you model gut–liver or gut–brain interactions using dual chips?
Absolutely. We support interconnected gut-liver and gut-brain chip systems to simulate metabolite transport, detoxification, and neuroactive compound modulation by probiotic strains.
Other Resources
References
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Morelli, Moran, et al. "Gut-on-a-Chip models: current and future perspectives for host–microbial interactions research." Biomedicines 11.2 (2023): 619. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020619
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Ingber, Donald E. "Human organs-on-chips for disease modelling, drug development and personalized medicine." Nature Reviews Genetics 23.8 (2022): 467-491. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-022-00466-9
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Taavitsainen, Susanne, et al. "Gut-on-chip devices as intestinal inflammation models and their future for studying multifactorial diseases." Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies 2 (2024): 1337945. https://doi.org/10.3389/frlct.2023.1337945
