DEVELOPMENT OF A DUAL-FLOW MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE TO STUDY THE INTERACTION OF THE INTESTINAL EPITHELIUM AND THE ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

The intricate relationship between the gut and the brain has gained increasing attention due to its profound implications for human health and disease.Over the last decade, gastrointestinal health has become more prevalent as a cofactor in the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases [1].Current research relies heavily on animal models, although their translatability to humans is often disproven, and they have been criticised for being unsuitable for providing detailed biological insights into underlying mechanisms [2].Since the FDA approved Organ-on-a-Chip devices as suitable substitutions for animal models, a need for more variety and complexity in such models has arisen [3].