Intestinal fibrosis is a serious complication of Crohn’s disease, leading to tissue stiffening, strictures, and often requiring surgery. Despite its clinical impact, no effective therapies currently exist; mainly due to the absence of physiologically relevant laboratory models that would allow detailed study of this condition. The iFIBROCHIP project addresses this gap by developing a novel modular microfluidic chamber for the advanced 3D co-culture of human iPSC-derived intestinal epithelial and mesenchymal cells under fibrotic conditions. The system will simulate tissue architecture, cellular communication, and mechanical flow, mimicking conditions in the human gut. By enabling controlled and reproducible in vitro modeling of intestinal fibrosis, iFIBROCHIP will support research into disease mechanisms and accelerate the development of future anti-fibrotic therapies, ultimately contributing to better treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.