The goals of this U19 Organoid and Minibioreactor Array Cultivation (OMAC) core is to develop advanced human tissue models and microbial cultivation strategies for application to studies designed to improve current understanding of the genetic basis of microbe-based diseases.  State-of-the-art platforms offer opportunities to advance current understanding of the interactions between pathogenic and beneficial organisms at mucosal surfaces and form the foundation for novel preventive or therapeutic strategies for lessening the severity of infectious diseases. Projects 1–4 will use the human organoid and MBRA technology developed by the core to study pathogens, microbiomes, and the epithelium interactions.

The OMAC Core will support these studies by:

  1. Generating, maintaining, and providing experimentally ready intestinal and airway organoid cultures customized for each individual project
  2. Providing complex intestinal and airway microbial communities customized for each individual project that can be used to determine the contributions of the microbiome to pathogenesis
  3. Developing new tools, models, and platforms for the exploration of additional aspects of intestinal and airway biology affecting infectious disease pathogenesis.

The centralized services provided by the OMAC Core controls and minimizes costs, ensures quality control, and allows novel insight into the responses to different pathogens. Training and advice will be provided to all Project Investigators and associated personnel through close working relationships with the OMAC Core Principal Investigators, allowing for the optimization and customization of core reagents in consideration of unique aspects of individual projects. The OMAC Core is an essential and unifying element that will be critical to the success of all projects.

Key Personnel

Sarah Blutt, Ph.D.

Baylor College of Medicine

Robert Britton, Ph.D.

Baylor College of Medicine