lifesciences
Course

Advanced In Vitro Models - Organoids meet organs-on-a-chip

Experience the future of biomedical research! This one-week intensive course brings together the latest human-relevant in vitro models and real-world translational expertise. 

€1000

Specifications

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Course Level
Master
ECTS credits
1.5 ECTS
Course location(s)
Utrecht, The Netherlands

Description

Through collaboration with Ombion, the Netherlands’ national centre for animal-free biomedical translation, you will explore how organoids, organs-on-chips, and advanced in vitro technologies are redefining safety, drug development and regenerative medicine.

Organoids Meet Organs-on-Chips – in collaboration with Ombion

Advanced in vitro models (AIM) are transforming biomedical science. By recreating physiologically relevant, in vivo-like tissues and organ systems, AIM technologies improve predictive accuracy, accelerate innovation, and reduce the need for animal experimentation. This year, the AIM Summer School is organized in close collaboration with Ombion, the Dutch national centre for human-based testing strategies. Ombion contributes expertise in human-relevant in vitro platforms, regulatory science, and the translation of cutting-edge models into predictive testing pipelines. Through this partnership, participants gain unique insight into how novel AIM technologies are implemented in academic, industrial, and regulatory decision-making.

Course Overview

During this intensive week-long programme in Utrecht, you will explore the convergence of science, technology, legislation and extrapolation modelling that shapes the future of human-based research. The course combines expert lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions, computational modelling, demonstrations, and site visits—offering a comprehensive and practice-oriented introduction to the AIM landscape. Working alongside Ombion specialists and international experts, you will learn how organoids, organs-on-chips, and enabling technologies are developed, validated and applied in biomedical research and regulatory contexts.

What You Will Learn

During this course, participants will:

  • Gain a broad overview of the AIM field, including organoids, organs-on-chip, biomaterials engineering, tissue engineering and IVIVE
  • Understand how AIM technologies fit within regulatory frameworks and how Ombion supports the transition towards animal-free innovation
  • Explore how human-relevant in vitro models advance predictive healthcare and drug development.
  • Engage directly with leading scientists, Ombion professionals, industry partners and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Acquire hands-on experience with organoid culture, microfluidic systems and enabling technologies.

Hands-On & Interactive Components

  • Bench work: organoid culture, differentiation strategies, microfluidic platforms
  • Demonstrations: organs-on-chips, analytical readouts
  • Expert dialogues: regulatory science, model standardization, and animal-free innovation.

Target audience

This course is designed for Master’s students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and professionals from academia and industry who are beginning their journey in the field of advanced in vitro models, including organoids, organs-on-chips, and human-relevant testing strategies.

It is ideal for participants with a background or interest in:

  • Cell biology, stem cell biology, pharmacology, toxicology
  • Biomedical sciences, (bio)engineering, tissue engineering
  • Model development, preclinical innovation, and translational research
  • Implementing or transitioning towards animal-free, human-relevant methods

Whether you are an academic researcher exploring next-generation model systems or an industry professional seeking to integrate in vitro innovations into R&D pipelines, this course provides the scientific foundation, hands-on skills, and regulatory insight needed to advance in this rapidly developing field.

Aim of the course

Why This Course?

The AIM Summer School offers a unique, interdisciplinary view of how next-generation in vitro models are shaping the future of science and medicine. With Ombion as a key partner, the programme provides:

  • Stronger focus on translation and regulatory relevance
  • Insight into industry-aligned workflows and human-based testing strategies
  • Understanding of AIM technologies within national and European animal-free innovation ecosystems

Participants leave with a solid scientific foundation, hands-on technical skills, and strategic insight—preparing them to contribute to the rapidly advancing field of human-relevant in vitro modelling.

Study load

Four full days + one half day 

Costs

  • Course fee: €1000.00
  • Included: Course + course materials + mealplan
  • Housing fee: €275
  • Housing provider: Utrecht Summer School

Additional information

The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag. This is a separate product on the invoice. If you wish to bring your own bedding, please deselect or remove the sleeping bag from your order. 

Application

For this course you are required to upload the following documents when applying:

  • Motivation Letter
  • C.V.

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