Researchers at Monash University have for the first time created tiny three-dimensional models of individual paediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients' intestinal lining, paired with those patients' own gut bacteria, in a development the team says could improve the targeting of treatments for children with the condition.
Monash University scientists develop 'mini gut' models to study paediatric IBD
Researchers at Monash University have for the first time created tiny three-dimensional models of individual paediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients' intestinal lining, paired with those patients' own gut bacteria, in a development the team says could improve the targeting of treatments for children with the condition.
The models, called organoids and informally described as 'mini guts', are grown from human samples taken from paediatric IBD patients in Australia. Lead researcher Professor Helen Abud said the technology allows scientists to study the disease in living tissue in the lab without requiring further involvement from patients, and to develop and test new therapies.
The team has also developed a method to inject each patient's gut bacteria back into their corresponding organoid model. Paediatric gastroenterologist Associate Professor Edward Giles, who co-authored the research paper, said this allows researchers to examine in detail the interaction between bacteria and the bowel lining to identify what drives inflammation and to explore potential new treatment targets.
The researchers have assembled what they describe as a 'living bio bank' of organoids representing several different patients. Professor Abud said the goal is to build a replica of a whole diversity of individual patients drawn from the local paediatric Australian population so that findings are relevant to patients being treated in Australia.
IBD is estimated to affect about 180,000 Australians, and experts say the number is rising for reasons not yet fully understood. Projections cited in the source indicate that by approximately 2030, sufferers will represent 1 per cent of the Australian population.
The case of 12-year-old Ronan Somers illustrates the diagnostic and treatment challenges the research aims to address. His mother, Jasmin Alarcon, said it took 904 days after diagnosis for doctors to identify a treatment that worked for him, during which time he trialled multiple medications that were ineffective. Ronan has missed one in five school days this year due to illness and medical appointments.
- The source does not state in which journal or publication the Monash University research paper was published.
- The source does not state the number of patients whose samples were used to create the organoid bio bank.
- The source does not state whether the research has undergone peer review or what its current publication status is.
- The source does not state what funding the Monash University research received or who provided it.
- The source does not state the basis or methodology of the Crohn's and Colitis Australia study that found IBD had the lowest research investment of all chronic conditions.
- The source does not state the source or methodology behind the projection that IBD sufferers will reach 1 per cent of the Australian population by 2030.
Read the original at ABC News Australia