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efine the model system under
consideration and to replace the
animals currently used.
Alternative Methods (ECVAM).
Main Results
The clinical expertise in the project was
manifested by the involvement of two
renowned European university hospitals,
one SME founded by another well-known
European university hospital and the
partnership with one of the leading
European pharmaceutical companies.
Three partners represent a solid reputed
bioengineering background. Other
important partners were one SME
focused on development of standardised
assay conditions for drug testing, and
the European Centre for Validation of
The results of the VITROCELLOMICS project
are reviewed in volume 35 of Alternatives
to Laboratory Aniamls (Mandenius et al.,
2011). Full reporting of project results
is available in the references 2-20 under
Publications.
A significant achievement of
VITROCELLOMICS has been establishment
of protocols for direct differentiation
of hESC lines towards mature hepatic
phenotype, which have been continuously
modified, refined and tested. A milestone
Figure 1. Immunocytochemical staining of hESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Positive staining
for metabolising enzyme CYP3A4 and liver marker CK18 are shown in green and red colour
respectively. DAPI staining for cell nuclei is shown in blue.
PROGRESS REPORTS FROM EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
Progress Report 2011 & AXLR8-2 Workshop Report
189