This edited volume discusses the application of very diverse human organotypic models in major areas of biomedical research. The authors lay a main focus on infectious diseases, cancer, allergies, as well as drug/vaccine discovery and toxicology studies. Representing a valid alternative to laboratory animals, these models are relevant for most areas of translational research. As the contemporary research shows, many human tissues can today be cultivated in vitro and used for several research objectives. This book provides an unprecedented overview of recent developments in an exciting field of research methodology. It is a reference guide for scientists in both academia and industry. Readers can update their knowledge and get hands-on recommendations on how to set up an organotypic model in their lab. Chapters 'Progress on Reconstructed Human Skin Models for Allergy Research and Identifying Contact Sensitizers' and 'Human Organotypic Models for Anti-infective Research' of this book are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com.

Biomaterials for 3D Tumor Modeling reviews the fundamentals and most relevant areas of the latest advances of research of 3D cancer models, focusing on biomaterials science, tissue engineering, drug delivery and screening aspects. The book reviews advanced fundamental topics, including the causes of cancer, existing cancer models, angiogenesis and inflammation during cancer progression, and metastasis in 3D biomaterials. Then, the most relevant biomaterials are reviewed, including methods for engineering and fabrication of biomaterials. 3D models for key biological systems and types of cancer are also discussed, including lung, liver, oral, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, bone and pediatric cancer. This book is suitable for those working in the disciplines of materials science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. - Reviews key biomaterials topics, including synthetic biomaterials, hydrogels, e-spun materials and nanoparticles - Provides a comprehensive overview of 3D cancer models for key biological systems and cancer types - Includes an overview of advanced fundamental concepts for an interdisciplinary audience in materials science, biochemistry, regenerative medicine and drug delivery

Cancer cell biology research in general, and anti-cancer drug development specifically, still relies on standard cell culture techniques that place the cells in an unnatural environment. As a consequence, growing tumor cells in plastic dishes places a selective pressure that substantially alters their original molecular and phenotypic properties.The emerging field of regenerative medicine has developed bioengineered tissue platforms that can better mimic the structure and cellular heterogeneity of in vivo tissue, and are suitable for tumor bioengineering research. Microengineering technologies have resulted in advanced methods for creating and culturing 3-D human tissue. By encapsulating the respective cell type or combining several cell types to form tissues, these model organs can be viable for longer periods of time and are cultured to develop functional properties similar to native tissues. This approach recapitulates the dynamic role of cell–cell, cell–ECM, and mechanical interactions inside the tumor. Further incorporation of cells representative of the tumor stroma, such as endothelial cells (EC) and tumor fibroblasts, can mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment. Collectively, bioengineered tumors create an important resource for the in vitro study of tumor growth in 3D including tumor biomechanics and the effects of anti-cancer drugs on 3D tumor tissue. These technologies have the potential to overcome current limitations to genetic and histological tumor classification and development of personalized therapies.

Thousands of different microbial species colonize the human body, and are essential for our survival. This book presents a review of the current understanding of human microbiomes, the functions that they bring to the host, how we can model them, their role in health and disease and the methods used to explore them. Current research into areas such as the long-term effect of antibiotics makes this a subject of considerable interest. This title is essential reading for researchers and students of microbiology.

Skin Tissue Models provides a translational link for biomedical researchers on the interdisciplinary approaches to skin regeneration. As the skin is the largest organ in the body, engineered substitutes have critical medical application to patients with disease and injury – from burn wounds and surgical scars, to vitiligo, psoriasis and even plastic surgery. This volume offers readers preliminary description of the normal structure and function of mammalian skin, exposure to clinical problems and disease, coverage of potential therapeutic molecules and testing, skin substitutes, models as study platforms of skin biology and emerging technologies. The editors have created a table of contents which frames the relevance of skin tissue models for researchers as platforms to study skin biology and therapeutic approaches for different skin diseases, for clinicians as tissue substitutes, and for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as alternative test substrates that can replace animal models. - Offers descriptions of the normal structure/function of mammalian skin, exposure to clinical problems, and more - Presents coverage of skin diseases (cancer, genodermatoses, vitiligo and psoriasis) that extends to clinical requirements and skin diseases in vitro models - Addresses legal requirements and ethical concerns in drugs and cosmetics in vitro testing - Edited and authored by internationally renowned group of researchers, presenting the broadest coverage possible

This work provides rapid access to focused information on topics of Immunotoxicology not only for scientists and those dealing with laboratory aspects but also for lecturers and advanced students. Over 200 contributing authors – including many of the world’s top specialists – have contributed full essays on all relevant topics, supplemented by keyword definitions of related terms. Full essays are structured uniformly to provide reader-friendly information on all aspects of Immunotoxicology, including methods of testing and analysis, characteristics of substances, the regulatory environment and the relevance of these to humans. The single A–Z format of both types of entry makes this reference book very easy to use. The Encyclopedic Reference of Immunotoxicology is intended to be a comprehensive work of reference which will provide easy access to relevant information in the fast-growing field of Immunotoxicology.

Animal Models for the Study of Human Disease identifies important animal models and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of each model for the study of human disease. The first section addresses how to locate resources, animal alternatives, animal ethics and related issues, much needed information for researchers across the biological sciences and biomedicine.The next sections of the work offers models for disease-oriented topics, including cardiac and pulmonary diseases, aging, infectious diseases, obesity, diabetes, neurological diseases, joint diseases, visual disorders, cancer, hypertension, genetic diseases, and diseases of abuse. - Organized by disease orientation for ease of searchability - Provides information on locating resources, animal alternatives and animal ethics - Covers a broad range of animal models used in research for human disease

This detailed volume addresses the challenge of how to instruct stem/early progenitor cells to progress through appropriate steps to generate functional 3-dimensional organs, one of the outstanding issues in regenerative medicine. The field of organoids is geared towards defining and demonstrating the in vitro conditions that achieve this goal. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Organoids: Stem Cells, Structure, and Function serves as an aid to researchers working in this vital area of research.

Efforts are being made by research organizations and cosmetic industries worldwide to develop more precise and targeted 3D models that mimic humans for testing cosmetic and personal health care product ingredients, following a complete ban on animal testing. This book includes several subtopics dedicated to the progress made, challenges faced, roadblocks encountered, and future prospects in the development and validation of 3D models for testing these products. The book consist of an editorial and 14 themed chapters that will showcase the significant progress made so far, challenges encountered, and future prospects in the development of 3D reconstruct models.

Many breakthroughs in biological research and translational healthcare advancements have been achieved by studying the response of biological systems to extreme environments. The spaceflight platform provides a unique environment where researchers can explore fundamental questions into cellular and molecular response mechanisms to unveil novel insight into human health and disease. Since the physical force of gravity has shaped the architecture of all biological systems on our planet, spaceflight provides the opportunity to see life in a new adaptational mode - in response to reduced gravity. This enables investigations into the effects of the microgravity environment and associated changes in mechanical forces on mammalian cells/tissues and microbial pathogens, to bring novel insight into disease mechanisms, which are not discernable using conventional experimental approaches. Research using spaceflight platforms represents a paradigm shift in how we observe life processes and is on the leading edge of research discoveries into cellular and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. By incorporating the views of leading authors, this book highlights landmark discoveries and advances in mammalian cellular and microbiology research in both true spaceflight and ground-based spaceflight analogue environments for scientists and students alike who are interested in the influence of physical forces on mammalian and microbial cells, how this impacts transition between normal homeostasis and disease, and basic mechanisms of adaptation to low gravity environments. To provide a thorough understanding of this research, this book covers a range of topics including: (i) description the physical forces interacting with cells in microgravity and microgravity analogue environments, (ii) how alterations in these cellular forces impact human physiology, specifically immune function, (iii) use of these environments to develop organotypic three-dimensional (3-D) tissue culture models as predictive human surrogates for organogenesis and disease research, and (iv) microbial pathogen responses to culture in these environments, focusing on infectious disease Collectively, this information reflects a critical step in preparation for long-duration human space exploration, advances our knowledge of basic biological processes and mechanisms important to understand normal function and disease, and may lead to new strategies for treatment and prevention.