Jessica Freire Feitor: My Next Great Impossible

"…a human organ-on-a-chip that uses organoid-derived IBD intestinal epithelial cells."

I’m developing an exciting representation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on a human organ-on-a-chip that uses organoid-derived IBD intestinal epithelial cells. The aim is to create an interface with patient-derived intestinal stromal fibroblasts and vascular endothelium to discover biomarkers of IBD progression and responses to treatment therapies. By combining proteomic analysis with bioinformatics, I can identify proteins released into circulation in response to IBD development and progression, which can then be used as a diagnostic tool to improve new potential IBD therapeutics. 

"The biggest challenge is to be creative and authentic."

I believe the biggest challenge is to be creative and authentic. Despite organ chips being a breakthrough technology, I faced multiple challenges, like having no troubleshooting guide when things go wrong. It’s unlikely I’ll find instructions in literature when working with a new technology. Therefore, we often need to be creative to overcome problems. For instance, in one experiment, multiple chips started to show microfluidic-related issues. I had to solve these hurdles using mechanical engineering despite never having any prior training. 

"Reducing animal screening is critical because animal models do not accurately mimic human anatomy..."

Reducing animal screening is critical because animal models do not accurately mimic human anatomy, physiology, or disease states, and of course, there are ethical concerns regarding their use. Organ chips like ours that include two flow channels replicate drug pharmacokinetics experienced in patients, which is much more relevant than conventional in-vitro models and organoid cultures. We can also use organ chips for personalized treatment where drug responses of specific populations can be analyzed and compared.  

FAQ

Q: What kind of mindset do you need to achieve the Next Great Impossible?

A: Resilience, curiosity, and a love for science!