iL-CURRENT
April 15, 2025
Elena Kromidas from the 3R Center:
"Observing a strong dynamic"
Dr. Elena Kromidas took over the management of the 3R Center Tübingen's office for in vitro models and animal testing alternatives on August 15, 2024. With her extensive scientific expertise in the field of microphysiological systems (MPS) and international research experience, Elena Kromidas continues to drive forward the development and progress in the field of alternative and complementary methods to animal experiments in Tübingen.
She will be the keynote speaker at the iL workshop "Organ-on-Chip" on April 29. In this interview, she explains why it is worth promoting dialog between important interest groups.
Mrs. Kromidas, what motivates you, the keynote at the InnovationLabworkshop "Organ-onChip" in Heidelberg to hold?
Elena Kromidas: I am very excited to deliver the keynote at iL Life Science Tech Day as this event brings together the key players driving innovation in organ-on-chip (OoC) technology and personalized medicine. The combination of academia, industry and technology providers is exactly what we need to drive OoC technologies forward. This field is evolving rapidly and collaboration is essential to overcome current challenges such as scalability, standardization and technology transfer. iL's infrastructure provides an ideal environment for such collaborations, and I look forward to exchanging ideas with other experts to accelerate the adoption of OoC in drug development and disease modeling.
OoC has itself in the research as a substitute and supplement for animal testing proven. When will we no experiments with mice and rats more need?
Kromidas: Although OoC technologies have made significant progress in reducing the need for animal testing, the complete elimination of in vivo models remains a long-term goal. The transition depends on several factors, including regulatory acceptance, qualification and validation of OoC models for a broad range of applications, and the ability to replicate complex organ interactions. We are seeing strong momentum as initiatives such as the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 recognize alternatives to animal testing. However, further progress in standardization, scalability and multi-organ integration is needed for full replacement. If research, regulators and industry continue to work together, we could see profound change in the coming decades.
However, it is crucial to understand that organ-on-chip (OoC) technology is not only intended to replace or reduce animal testing, but also offers significant potential as a complementary approach. It can answer research questions that cannot be answered with animal models. For example, OoC systems can be strategically combined to investigate complex interactions between organs or used in studies that require human-specific responses. This is particularly relevant when studying the immune system, which differs significantly between humans and animals. In addition, OoC technology opens up exciting possibilities in personalized medicine and enables the rapid and scalable development of patient-specific models. This enables a more accurate prediction of individual responses to treatments and ultimately contributes to the development of safer and more effective therapies.
Dr. Elena Kromidas from the 3R Center in Tübingen: "OoC technology opens up exciting possibilities in personalized medicine and enables the rapid and scalable development of patient-specific models." Image: 3R-Center
Guiding principle: "As much as necessary, as little as possible"
You build in the 3R-Center Tübingen a core facility for microphysiological systems on. Which technological challenges must research and industry together master together?
Kromidas: A major challenge for research is the selection of the most suitable technologies and models. This includes choosing between established or commercially available platforms, biomaterials, cell types and sources, as well as determining the level of biological complexity. Our guiding principle is "as much as necessary, as little as possible", because greater complexity also means more time, cost and expertise. This selection process requires interdisciplinary know-how and careful consideration of scientific relevance and feasibility. At the same time, we develop training concepts and materials to facilitate the transfer of knowledge before scientists operate the MPS in the laboratories provided.
On the business and operational side, we are currently supported by start-up funding from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK). We are currently developing a sustainable business model. This includes the acquisition of the necessary specialized infrastructure, the development of a clear usage policy and the creation of a robust operating framework to ensure easy and low-threshold access for users.
Are are there successful implementations, such as for example human tissue models for cervical cancer, in the industry and in the clinical everyday life?
Kromidas: Human tissue models such as organoids and organ-on-chip (OoC) systems are increasingly finding their way into the industry, particularly in disease modeling and drug development. Due to their expected higher transferability compared to conventional animal models, there is great interest in human-based models and many pharmaceutical companies are actively investing in this area. The first applications are also emerging in clinical practice, for example patient-based organoids are being used to support personalized treatment decisions in oncology. Although these models are not yet standard, they promise promising advances in precision medicine and are gaining increasing recognition in both regulatory and translational contexts.
Currently, cervical cancer-on-chip models are mainly used in research rather than in industry or clinical practice. Recent studies have developed advanced microfluidic platforms for modeling 3D cervical cancer tissue including the tumor microenvironment. These enable the study of tumor behavior and potential therapeutic interventions and lay the foundation for personalized medicine. Although these models are promising for future applications and are increasingly being integrated into basic research, they are not yet integrated into routine industrial processes or clinical workflows. Further research and validation is needed before such models can be more widely used in these sectors.
Popular network meeting: Elena Kromidas at the 3R-Network Baden-Württemberg Annual Conference 2025 at the beginning of April on the Vaihingen campus of the University of Stuttgart. Image: 3R-Center
How do do you personally with the topic OoC deal with?
Kromidas: The successful and consistent implementation of human-based replacement and complementary methods such as OoC requires that all relevant stakeholders a) are made aware of these innovations through scientific communication and public relations work, b) are trained and advised accordingly and c) are provided with easy access to the necessary infrastructure and expertise. At the 3R Center, we pursue precisely this holistic approach with our three pillars: Information, education and training, and direct research support. Only by considering all these aspects simultaneously can we accelerate the transition to more human-relevant, ethical research methods.
One focus of my work is on accessibility and maximizing the potential of OoC to replace animal testing wherever possible. With the development of our Core Facility for microphysiological systems, we are concentrating on using the existing infrastructure and expertise to make these technologies more widely accessible to scientists. A central goal is to replace animal experiments where they are already possible. This requires a clear definition of the application context, i.e. the identification of specific scenarios in which OoC models can provide reliable and reproducible alternatives to in vivo experiments. By building on what already exists and continuously gaining experience, we can further refine and expand the application of OoC models and increase regulatory acceptance. Through standardization, validation and collaboration with industry and regulators, we can accelerate the transition to more ethical and human-relevant testing methods.
How large is for the 3R-center as microfluidic research platform Your need for technology transfer and exchange in the iL-workshop?
Kromidas: Although the 3R Center Tübingen does not focus on researching and developing new models - this work is carried out by the µOrganoLab, Peter Loskill's research group at the University of Tübingen and the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) - we want to provide a platform where scientists can access and apply these technologies through our MPS Core Facility. The iL workshop is a valuable opportunity for us to foster dialog between key stakeholders such as model developers, model users, technology providers and regulatory experts. This exchange is crucial to align expectations, identify gaps and accelerate the practical implementation of OoC models in research. It also helps us to better understand user needs and the direction of technological development, which in turn influences the design of our support services and infrastructure. Ultimately, we see ourselves as a facilitator in a growing ecosystem that helps to connect and empower the various stakeholders and drive the transition to human-relevant and non-animal research methods.
About the person
Dr. Elena Kromidas is a scientist committed to the advancement of 3R-oriented research with a specialization in organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies. She studied Technical Biology at the University of Stuttgart and completed her Master's thesis at Harvard Medical School, where she studied protein degradation by the proteasome. She deepened her expertise in CRISPR-Cas9 technologies during her time at Boehringer Ingelheim and contributed to target discovery.
In her PhD, Elena Kromidas focused on women's health and the development of OoC at µOrganoLab under the supervision of Prof. Peter Loskill. Her research included the development of a microfluidic platform and tissue models for the human cervix, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.
Elena Kromidas has headed the 3R Center Tübingen division since August 2024. Her mission is to establish and operate a core facility for microphysiological systems to make human-relevant in vitro models more accessible to researchers. With this work, she supports the transition to more ethical, effective and human-centered biomedical research by reducing the reliance on animal testing.
About the 3R-Center Tübingen
The 3R Center Tübingen is an interdisciplinary research center of the University of Tübingen and the NMI Reutlingen, which is dedicated to the development and application of human-relevant in-vitro models. The aim is to replace or supplement animal experiments with scientifically sound alternatives - in line with the 3R principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine).
The focus is on microphysiological systems (MPS) that can reproduce complex human organ functions in the laboratory and open up new perspectives for biomedical research, drug development and personalized medicine. With its Core Facility, the center supports researchers by providing access to innovative technology, methodological advice and targeted training.
Information about the LIFE SCIENCE TECH DAY
Further information on the procedure and registration can be found on our website at
https://www.innovationlab.de/life‒science‒tech‒day‒2025
Registration ends on April 22, one week before the workshop on April 29. Catering will be provided at InnovationLab's "iL.Connect.Space" premises.
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
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