An integrated upper GI model of digestion and absorption - the commercial 'Holy Grail'

在实验室模拟消化、营养吸收和药物吸收过程，减少了对动物和人类进行昂贵和有争议的研究的需要。我们的目标是开发一个完全集成的消化和吸收实验室模型，以筛选和开发新的药物和健康干预措施。制药行业对该模型的商业需求已在BBSRC企业奖学金期间确定，并通过BBSRC探路者奖资助的独立市场研究进行了验证，我们已经申请了这项技术的专利。这种综合模式被称为“圣杯”，它将允许食品和制药公司进行负担得起的筛选和开发研究，为产品开发和药物发现提供信息。这将大大降低药物开发的高昂成本。此外，一个有效的、经过验证的消化模型将减少对大量动物研究的需要。

Modelling the processes of digestion, nutrient uptake and drug absorption in the laboratory reduces the need to carry out expensive and controversial studies in animals and humans. We aim to develop a fully integrated lab model of digestion and absorption to screen and develop new drugs and health interventions. The commercial need in the pharmaceutical industry for this model has been identified during a BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship and validated through independent market research funded by a BBSRC Pathfinder award, and we have applied for a patent of this technology. This integrated model has been described as the 'Holy Grail' and would allow food and pharmaceutical companies to carry out affordable screening and development studies to inform product development and drug discovery. This would significantly reduce the high costs of drug development. Furthermore an effective, validated model of digestion would reduce the need for a great number of animal studies.