Spatiotemporally resolved colorectal oncogenesis in mini-colons ex vivo. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38658753/)

These scientists wanted to find a better way to study cancer without using animals. They used a special technology called three-dimensional organoid culture to create mini-colons that mimic real tumors. These mini-colons can grow and develop just like tumors in the body.

To make the mini-colons undergo tumorigenesis (the process of forming tumors), the scientists used a combination of microfabrication, optogenetics, and tissue engineering techniques. They were able to control the growth of tumors in the mini-colons by exposing them to blue light. This allowed them to study how tumors form and grow in real-time at a very detailed level.

By studying these mini-colons, the scientists were able to learn more about how tumors develop and identify new ways to treat cancer. This research is important because it helps scientists understand cancer better and find new ways to fight it without using animals.

Lorenzo-Martin LF., Hubscher T., Bowler AD., Broguiere N., Langer J., Tillard L., Nikolaev M., Radtke F., Lutolf MP. Spatiotemporally resolved colorectal oncogenesis in mini-colons ex vivo. Nature. 2024 May;629(8011):450-457. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07330-2. Epub 2024 Apr 24.