By Lisanne Verschuren
Organoids are organ-like cell cultures in a Petri dish. In our research, we focus on intestinal organoids from grower-finisher pigs. We collect adult stem cells from intestinal tissue and use those stem cells to grow organoids. This sounds a little sci-fi and, to be honest, it’s not easy. That’s why Topigs Norsvin collaborates with Wageningen University & Research and Nutrition Sciences. By using organoids, we can perform multiple types of in vitro tests on the same animal without needing to use the animal itself. Hence, we can reduce animal testing and at the same time increase phenotyping. The phenotypes we derive from organoids are much more complex than we could ever achieve with animal testing. Previous research has shown that organoids from high and low feed efficient pigs respond differently after exposure to E. coli. Our current organoid research is focused on nutrient transportation across the intestines, the interaction of intestinal cells with immune cells and understanding intestinal gene functioning. With this information we aim to improve the feed efficiency and gut health of our pigs.
