The organ-on-a-chip tool will help scientists gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms of inflammation and accelerate identification of drug candidates to prevent inflammatory damage, the company said. The colon-intestine chip addresses the lack of human-relevant models for gastrointestinal disease that translate to clinical trials.

The new organ chip incorporates human colonic organoids and supportive colonic endothelial cells in a dynamic microenvironment that simulates mechanical forces of the intestine, resulting in a 3D model of the colonic epithelial-endothelial interface with physiological functionality and improved gene expression. The organ chip allows for formation of a tight epithelial barrier, highly polarized cells, and a mature brush border, according to Emulate. The model also responds to inflammatory stimuli in a concentration-, time-, and donor-dependent manner.

The Emulate chip is currently available with customer-provided cells. The company is working on providing access to services and a bio-kit with prequalified cells later this year.