This June, Elveflow joined the MPS community in Brussels for the 4th edition of the Microphysiological Systems (MPS) World Summit. The event gathered more than 1,500 attendees, all driven by a common goal: developing human-relevant in vitro models that can reshape drug development, toxicology, and disease research. Hosted in Brussels, Belgium, in the beautiful exhibition center “Tour & Taxis”, the event was organized by Mathieu Vinken (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Liesbet Geris (Université de Liège and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Birgit Mertens (Sciensano) and Jan Lichtenberg (InSphero).
The conference focused on pressing themes in the field like drug and chemical safety, disease modeling, and regulatory testing. We had the chance to learn about progress presented across organ-on-chip platforms, multi-organ systems, and standardization efforts.
After our successful conference reports written this year about TERMIS EU, or AERC, we’ve gathered a few highlights from keynotes and emerging topics that stood out during the summit.
Let us know what you think!
Louise Fournier, Scientific Content Manager
Director, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, USA
Dr. Joseph Wu opened the keynote series with a talk on how human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), combined with genomics and AI, are participating in the future strategies of precision medicine and drug discovery. At the heart of his approach is the concept of using iPSC-derived cells to build patient-specific disease models, allowing researchers to study the exact genetic and phenotypic makeup of individuals in a dish, like presented in these latest publications:
His team’s research has demonstrated how iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can mirror disease- and mutation-specific phenotypes, offering powerful tools for identifying pathogenic variants, separating them from background genetic noise, and predicting drug responses with greater accuracy. These platforms open the door to a “clinical trial in a dish” (CTiD) approach, where drugs can be tested on a patient’s own cells before being administered, drastically improving the safety and efficacy of treatments [3].
Dr. Wu also emphasized the integration of AI-enabled screening tools and in silico modeling with iPSC phenotyping platforms. This synergy accelerates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and supports genotype-phenotype risk stratification, particularly in cardiovascular diseases.
These studies highlight the promise of stem-cell-based systems to reflect ethnic and genetic diversity, a critical factor in developing more inclusive and effective therapies.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) arise when mature somatic cells, like skin fibroblasts, are reprogrammed into a pluripotent state by introducing key transcription factors (typically Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c‑Myc, known as the “Yamanaka factors”). This process suppresses genes that define the original cell type and activates endogenous pluripotency networks, including factors such as Nanog, Lin28, and hTERT. The resulting iPSCs closely resemble embryonic stem cells in gene expression and developmental potential, capable of differentiating into virtually any cell type. Modern methods favor non-integrative delivery of genetic material (like Sendai-virus vectors, episomal plasmids, or RNA) to minimize genomic risks and enhance safety profiles, especially for clinical applications.
Maastricht University, Netherlands
Prof. Lorenzo Moroni delivered a talk about the future of biofabrication, questioning whether greater biological complexity in in vitro models is always necessary, or if it should be strategically designed based on specific research goals. An interesting topic about the race to use more and more complex methods that sometimes needs to be slowed down. Topic that was also pointed out by Prof. Jürgen Groll from the University of Würzenburg during this year’s TERMIS EU conference (you can find a summary of the discussion in our last conference report).
In his keynote, Prof. Moroni traced the evolution of biofabrication, from its roots in additive manufacturing (such as 3D printing and fused deposition modeling) to the rise of self-assembly strategies that harness natural cell-cell interactions. He highlighted how recent innovations like magnetic levitation, acoustic assembly, and advanced bioprinting techniques have drastically improved our ability to create multicellular, functional tissues with spatial and biochemical cues.
Depending on the desired application, these constructs can be fabricated using a wide spectrum of materials, from ceramics and thermoplastics, used to guide mechanical organization, to hydrogel-based bioinks that better mimic the soft, hydrated environment of native tissues. These flexible design options are opening new doors for building organoid-like systems, enabling better models for drug screening, toxicity testing, and disease modeling.
But Prof. Moroni also emphasized the importance of translational thinking. His work has already contributed to real-world applications, such as CellCoTec B.V., a company inspired by his cartilage regeneration research, and Screvo B.V., focused on animal implantable 3D screening systems. His current efforts are focused on developing vascular regenerative therapies, with another spin-off potentially on the horizon.
By continuously refining scaffold design and fabrication strategies, Prof. Moroni believes that we’re moving closer to a new standard in human-relevant, functional tissue models, a shift that will not only enhance in vitro research but also bring regenerative medicine one step closer to the clinic.
🧪 Recent publications from his group:
Southeast University, China
“May the force be with you: in-situ force measurement and AI-based analysis of Microphysiological Systems”
Prof. Zhongze Gu discussed the mechanical forces that shape cell behavior, tissue development, and organoid formation, factors often underrepresented in MPS design. His team developed a novel approach called Photonic Crystal Cellular Force Microscopy (PCCFM), which uses colloidal photonic crystal (CPC) hydrogels to map cellular and tissue forces in real time, without the need for complex imaging systems.
By capturing subtle deformations in CPC substrates with standard microscopes and analyzing them with AI-powered algorithms, this system can track mechanical signals during key biological events, such as cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and even tumor cell migration. Prof. Gu’s group applied the technique across models like epidermal organoids, developing heart tissue, and tumor spheroids, uncovering distinct force patterns linked to function and disease.
A key highlight was the integration of deep-learning tools to automatically segment, track, and evaluate organoids in high-throughput screening setups. This approach moves Microphysiological Systems technology toward greater automation, physiological relevance, and clinical translatability, especially for applications in drug testing and disease modeling. [9,10]
You can learn in our research summaries how to use microfluidics for constriction assays on spheroid or how to replicate peristalsis for gut-on-a-chip studies.
Space Applications Services, ICE Cubes
As we noticed recently, space studies is becoming a more and more present topic on the international research stage. Hilde Stenuit from ICE Cubes gave a very interesting talk about the major advantages on how microgravity can give new dimensions in organoid and organ-on-chip research. Her central question—“Why space?”—was not just rhetorical. She demonstrated how space-based experiments reveal biological behaviors that are either hidden or distorted on Earth, especially in 3D tissue culture and disease modeling.
In microgravity, cells can self-assemble into complex, physiologically relevant structures without the need for supporting scaffolds or gels. This creates more realistic in vitro models and enhances the maturation and stability of organoids, which are often limited by gravity-induced constraints in regular Earth-based labs.
She emphasized how this unique environment accelerates signs of aging, inflammation, and disease progression, enabling researchers to observe long-term biological processes in shorter timespans. Through projects like M4PM (Microgravity for Personalized Medicine) and AstroCardia, we better understand how space-grown models can improve drug screening and support cardiovascular research, particularly the study of aging in a heart-on-chip system.
We invite you to have a look at her TEDx talk, where she develops on how protein crystallization in space produces higher-quality crystals for more accurate drug design, how microgravity-grown organoids offer an ethical and effective alternative to animal testing, and how 3D bioprinting of tissues may someday be optimized in space to overcome Earth’s gravity-induced deformities, bringing us closer to printing fully functional human organs.
Ultimately, her keynote reframed space as not just a distant frontier, but a strategic tool for advancing biomedicine on Earth, especially as access to low-Earth orbit becomes more commercially viable [11].
Eberhard Karls University, Germany
Prof. Peter Loskill, whose work was also presented in the latest NOR-MPS Symposium, talked about Organ-on-Chip (OoC) technology to better reflect the complexity of human biology. He highlighted the immune system, which remains one of the most challenging elements to model accurately in vitro. Loskill’s work combines microfabrication and tissue engineering to develop OoC platforms that are not only organ-specific, but also immunocompetent.
His lab has created a suite of human-relevant OoC models, including tumor-, retina-, choroid-, heart-, pancreas-, lymphoid tissue-, and adipose-on-chip systems, that replicate both organ-level function and vascular dynamics. These models are designed with three core components: tissue chambers mimicking organ function, microfluidic channels for controlled compound delivery, and barrier layers that simulate physiological interfaces while protecting tissues from shear stress.
Crucially, Loskill’s platforms incorporate components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, enabling real-time observation of immune-tissue interactions. This is particularly valuable for immuno-oncology, where understanding immune cell dynamics is key to developing effective therapies, but also has applications in ophthalmology [12] and (cardio)metabolic research [13].
Among all conference topics and the impressive number of abstracts, we’ve gathered an overview of the current and emerging trends shaping microphysiological research in 2025.
There’s a growing focus on:
Researchers are moving toward highly specialized disease models, such as:
Integration of AI, genomics, and high-quality imaging with MPS for:
Microgravity conditions are a unique environment for 3D cell culture and tissue formation. Organoids grown in space exhibit improved structural organization and can accelerate disease processes like aging and inflammation.
The MPS World Summit 2025 brought together 1,458 attendees from over 40 countries, with more than 140 scientific talks, 717 posters, and 124 sponsors and exhibitors. It was a true reflection of the field’s global growth and momentum. From stem-cell-derived models and AI-enhanced analytics to immunocompetent systems and microgravity experiments, the event showcased how Microphysiological Systems technologies are reshaping biomedical research.
Elveflow is proud to be part of this dynamic community. Our pressure-based flow control solutions are the ideal addition to any Microphysiological Systems setup, offering unmatched precision, fast response times, and full adaptability to your unique experimental vision. Our solutions adapt from simple single-organ chips or a complex multi-organ platform, and are designed to grow with your research.
We also had the pleasure of reconnecting with our partner Cherry Biotech. It was great to meet their team and discuss how combining Elveflow’s pressure control systems with their Microfluidic Perfusion Lid for 24-well plates can enable next-generation Organ-on-Chip and organoid culture solutions.
Looking ahead, the next MPS World Summit will take place in Washington, DC, from May 26–29, 2026. Block your calendars, we hope to see you there!
Written and reviewed by Louise Fournier, PhD in Chemistry and Biology Interface and Marine Daïeff, PhD. For more content about Microfluidics, you can have a look here.
[1] A. Zhang et al., “Generation of two induced pluripotent stem cell lines to model and investigate diseases affecting Pacific Islanders” Stem Cell Research, Mar. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.scr.2025.103668
[2] R. Shang et al., “Generation of two induced pluripotent stem cell lines from Loeys-Dietz syndrome patients carrying heterologous mutation of TGFBR1” Stem Cell Research, Mar. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.scr.2025.103663
[3] X. Wu et al., “Clinical trials in-a-dish for cardiovascular medicine” European Heart Journal, Oct. 2024. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae519
[4] I. Belviso et al., “Non-integrating Methods to Produce Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine: An Overview” Biomechanics and functional Tissue Engineering, Dec. 2020. doi:10.5772/intechopen.95070
[5] H. Weng et al., “Mechanical Reinforced and Self-healing Hydrogels: Bioprinted Biomimetic Methacrylated Collagen Peptide-Xanthan Gum Constructs for Ligament Regeneration” Advanced Healthcare Materials, Jul. 2025. doi:10.1002/adhm.202502341
[6] K. Van Kampen et al., “A Tissue Engineering’s Guide to Biomimicry” Macromolecular Bioscience, Jun. 2025. doi:10.1002/mabi.202500093
[7] C. Tomasina et al., “A Proteomic Approach to Determine Stem Cell Skeletal Differentiation Signature on Additive Manufactured Scaffolds” Small Science, Jun. 2024. doi:10.1002/smsc.202300316
[8] T. Agarwal et al., “3D bioprinting in tissue engineering: current state-of-the-art and challenges towards system standardization and clinical translation” Biofabrication, Aug. 2025. doi:10.1088/1758-5090/ade47a
[9] J. Zhou et al., “Visualizing and quantifying dynamic cellular forces with photonic crystal hydrogels” Nanoscale, Sept. 2024. doi:10.1039/D4NR02834A
[10] Y. Zeng et al., “Direct Laser Writing Photonic Crystal Hydrogels with a Supramolecular Sacrificial Scaffold” Small, Sept. 2023. doi:10.1002/smll.202306524
[11] Hilde Stenuit, “Les nouveaux médicaments viendront de l’espace” TedTalk, TEDxBrussels, May. 2023
[12] S. Corti et al., “Recreating pathophysiology of CLN2 disease and demonstrating reversion by TPP1 gene therapy in hiPSC-derived retinal organoids and retina-on-chip” Cell Reports Medicine, Jul. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102244
[13] U. Arslan et al., “Microphysiological stem cell models of the human heart” Materials Today Bio, Apr. 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100259
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