AMD in a dish (AID)

该项目的主要目标是建立一个研究小组来开发体外AMD模型，该模型结合了不同的结构，以尽可能地模拟现实生活中的情况。这包括可重复的神经视网膜/RPE/脉络膜培养，结合现有的培养方法，但更多的是开发新的，由不同细胞类型组成的可组合共培养系统，可以针对各自的研究问题进行优化。一种可能的方法是组成系统，其中特定的细胞类型（如RPE、内皮细胞、神经细胞、小胶质细胞）将在一个优化的环形系统中独立培养，该系统可以使用腔室组合。这些腔室可以由各自的供应系统灌注，为每个细胞培养优化。这些新模型体系也要求在载体材料方面有新的发展，包括人工布鲁赫膜。生物材料研究最近开发了3D共培养的新技术，包括生化和机械控制；这些概念将在这里得到落实。例如，多孔水凝胶应在结构上、机械上和生物化学上设计为RPE、脉络膜和神经视网膜细胞的载体组织。这些材料应在不同层中组合以建立共培养，类似于在体内的情况。这些新开发的系统也可以用于从患者材料中获取的细胞（例如诱导多能干细胞）。开发的模型系统将被设计为可重复性和易于操作，以使许多团体在未来使用它们。本项目的另一个目标是撰写一篇关于视网膜体外模型研究的综述文章。

The main goal of this project is to establish a research group to develop in-vitro AMD models, which combine different structures in order to mimic the real-life situation as close as possible. This includes a reproducible neuroretina/RPE/choroid culture, combining existing culture methods, but even more the development of new, combinable co-culture system made of different cell types which can optimized for respective research questions. A likely possibility would be a component system, in which particular cell types (e.g. RPE, endothelial cells, neuronal cells, microglia) would be independently cultured in an optimized ring system which can be combined using chambers. These chambers could be perfused by a respective supplying system, optimized for each cell culture. These new models systems also call for new development concerning carrier material, including artificial Bruch’s membranes. Biomaterial research has recently developed new techniques for 3D co-culture including biochemical and mechanical control; these concept shall be implemented here. For example, porous hydrogels shall be structurally, mechanically and biochemically designed to act as carrier tissue for RPE, choroid and neuro-retinal cells. These materials shall be combined in different layers to establish a co-culture, resembling the in vivo situation. These newly developed systems could also be expended for cells harvested from patient material (e.g. induced pluripotent stem cells). The developed model systems will be designed for reproducibility and easy handling, to enable many groups to use them in the future. Another goal of this project is to write a review article on in-vitro models in retinal research.