mission

  A major breakthrough during the last decade has been the establishment of 3D organoid models derived from either murine or human tissues. These models are based on the tissue stem cell capacities to reconstitute the diversity of the tissue cell populations. Tissue stem cells require unique niche microenvironments. Once in the presence of specific combinations of niche factors and once embedded in a 3D matrix, mouse and human epithelial tissues from different organs, like stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas duct,  liver ducts and bladder can efficiently form organoids (Barker et al., 2010; Boj et al., 2015; Huch et al., 2013; Sato et al., 2011; Varley CL et al., 2011). These 3D organoid models represent great interest for both basic and translational research. 
​
This mini-organ culture system can be applied to healthy as well as diseased tissues (aka inflammation and cancer). During tumorigenesis, for instance, niche factors often become dispensable leading to a less stringent culture condition for cancer organoids as compared to healthy normal organoids. Established cancer organoids can be xenotransplanted to recapitulate histopathology of the parental tumor from which they are derived. Cancer organoids have been shown to reflect genetic lesions and gene expression patterns, opening up a possibility of in vitro drug testing for the prediction of clinical treatment response in patients.

Thus, biobanking of organoids derived from diseased tissues will help to unravel the pathogenesis of disease and the development of new diagnostic tools and new drugs. Our institute is currently setting up such a biobank for colon tissues from healthy, IBD and cancer patients.
SERVICES
Services include :
  • Access to tissue bank
  • Culture of organoids (L2)
  • Kinetic imaging of cultures, immunostaining
  • mRNA and/or protein extraction and further expression analysis
  • Experimental protocol design and realization
  • Training in organoid cultures
  • Use of high-content screening imaging (Opera Phenix, Perkin Elmer)
GRANTS
The core faciliy is supported by funds from the Region Occitanie, and by European Funds through Feder Programs. It is also supported by a FUI program involving the Banque Publique d'Investissements, the Toulouse Metropole, and the Occitanie Region. Urosphere and "les Hôpitaux de Toulouse" are partners of the core facility. Equipments were obtained with the financial help of the Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller, through a "Coup d'Elan pour la Recherche " program.

Publications

​Thrombin modifies growth, proliferation and apoptosis of human colon organoids: a protease-activated receptor 1- and protease-activated receptor 4-dependent mechanism.
Sébert M, Denadai-Souza A, Quaranta M, Racaud-Sultan C, Chabot S, Lluel P, Monjotin N, Alric L, Portier G, Kirzin S, Bonnet D, Ferrand A, Vergnolle N.Br J Pharmacol. 2018 Sep;175(18):3656-3668. doi: 10.1111/bph.14430. Epub 2018 Aug 7.
PMID: 29959891
Free PMC Article