In the Huch lab, our vision is to elucidate the fundamental principles underlying the maintenance and repair of adult tissues, as well as the mechanisms by which their dysregulation contributes to disease. We achieve this through pioneering research in 3D organoid models of the stomach, liver, and pancreas, aiming to unravel critical insights into tissue regeneration and pathology.
We believe that scientific discoveries shared openly for the benefit of humanity. We have always and will continue to share our technologies with the many laboratories around the world in order to advance the field and develop or inspire new therapeutic strategies for human disease.
Regeneration is the process of restoring entire body parts or tissues to their original state. When regeneration fails, disease occurs. Unlike highly active tissues like the gut, which constantly undergo proliferation and differentiation, quiescent tissues require activation to start regeneration. The human liver and pancreas are key models for studying how cells maintain their roles and how these roles change during regeneration and disease. The liver is known for its exceptional ability to regenerate after injury, while the pancreas, despite being similar to the liver, has limited regenerative capacity. Notably, the liver can regenerate almost indefinitely after resection, but its ability is restricted after toxic injuries (e.g., from drugs or alcohol), leading to fibrosis (scarring) or, in some cases, hyperproliferation and cancer.
To explore the mechanisms behind regeneration, we have developed 3D organoid models from healthy and diseased tissues of mouse and human organs, including the stomach, liver, and pancreas. Our research combines these in vitro organoid models with in vivo systems. By comparing mouse organoids with live injury-repair models, we have shown that these organoids mimic many aspects of in vivo regeneration, providing valuable insights into tissue regeneration and disease mechanisms.
The Huch Lab always welcomes applications of exceptional and highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientists. If you are interested, contact Meritxell Huch
