In 2012, NIH funded 19 awards for research projects designed to create 3-D chips with living cells and tissues that accurately model the structure and function of human organs, such as the lung, liver and heart. Seven awards explored the potential of stem and progenitor cells to differentiate into multiple cell types that represent the cellular architecture within organ systems. 

These could act as a source of cells to populate tissue chips.

In addition to organ systems, some of the awarded researchers developed tissue microsystems that target specific health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, degenerative arthritis and gastrointestinal disease.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Generating Human Intestinal Organoids With an Enteric Nervous System

Principal Investigator: James M. Wells, Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000546-01

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York

Modeling Complex Disease Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Skin Constructs

Principal Investigator: Angela Christiano, Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000561-01

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Human Intestinal Organoids: Preclinical Models of Non-Inflammatory Diarrhea

Principal Investigator: Mark Donowitz, M.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000552-01

A 3-D Model of Human Brain Development for Studying Gene/Environment Interactions

Principal Investigator: Thomas Hartung, M.D., Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000547-01

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Modeling Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Using a Gastrointestinal Organotypic Culture System

Principal Investigator: John P. Lynch, M.D., Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000536-01

University of Pittsburgh

Three-Dimensional Osteochondral Micro-Tissue to Model Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis

Principal Investigator: Rocky S. Tuan, Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000532-01   

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Three-Dimensional Human Lung Model to Study Lung Disease and Formation of Fibrosis

Principal Investigator: Joan E. Nichols, Ph.D. 
Grant Number: 1-U18-TR-000560-01