About this project

The objective of the PhD project is to develop a scalable and cGMP compatible process to generate kidney organoids and tubuloids, using 3D cell culture approaches and stirred-tank bioreactor technology.

Bioprocess development will be done by evaluating the impact of critical process parameters in cell expansion and tubuloid/organoid cell composition and phenotype in small scale stirred-tank bioreactors (working volume:200mL) and scale-up to 2L, if needed. The project will also include the design of efficient strategies for (cryo)preservation of tubuloids and kidney organoids in 3D cell culture format to facilitate their storage and distribution among partners of the consortium.

Further, the most physiologically relevant tubuloid and organoid lines will be subjected to an unbiased metabolomics approach to identify the most significantly altered metabolic pathways associated with cystinosis. Metabolic profiles of cystinotic and healthy tubuloid cultures will be measured using untargeted mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics.

Lead Supervisor: Margarida Serra