Belén Casas Garcia

Belen had a postdoc position between our group and AstraZeneca between 2018-2021. Her research were revolved around Microphysiological systems (MPS), commonly referred to as organs-on-a-chip. MPS have emerged as a promising alternative to current preclinical models for drug testing. These devices can emulate the activity of multiple human organs in a miniaturized platform, being able to replicate physiological processes which are key to understand the effect of drug therapies. However, the in vitro results obtained from MPS experiments are typically difficult to interpret and, more importantly, be translated to the in vivo case. Therefore, mathematical models that allow quantitative analysis of the MPS findings and their translation from in vitro to in vivo are essential to predict human outcomes.

Using experimental data from multi-organ micro-physiological systems developed by AstraZeneca and TissUse, the project worked to develop mathematical models that provide mechanistic understanding of the physiological processes in the in vitro system, thereby allowing for a better characterization of the pathophysiology of diseases. Belén worked towards the development of mathematical models for two-organ-on-a-chip platforms integrating human liver and pancreas to study Type 2 diabetes. The combined experimental/modelling approach has the potential to provide more accurate predictions of drug effects in humans, and reduce the use of animal experiments in preclinical drug development.


Collaborators

You can read more about Beléns work with us, or check out her PhD thesis.