Swiss and Czech placentologists will join forces to create a sophisticated cell-based 3D co-culture model to investigate placental pharmacology and drug transport from mother to fetus.
Prof. Christiane Albrecht from University of Bern, Prof. Frantisek Staud from Charles University and Dr Chennakesava Cuddapah from Curio Biotech Ltd. will develop and validate a novel model consisting of primary cells isolated from human placenta and umbilical vein. In this pioneering concept the scientists aim to use exclusively primary cells, an approach which is known to present a higher degree of physiology than immortalized cell lines.
The project is funded by the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) that promotes the 3Rs principle (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation) in Switzerland and facilitates its implementation in life sciences, focusing on research, education and communication.
Text: doc. PharmDr. Jaroslav Roh, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Scientific Activity, Doctoral Studies and Technology Transfer
Photo: Charles University, University of Bern, Curio Biotech Ltd.