Organoid Research Group – The Pig as a Model System

Organoids in Biomedical Research

Our research group focuses on the establishment and application of porcine intestinal organoids to address relevant veterinary medical questions directly in a species-specific model. The organoid model serves not only as a translational system for human medicine but also – especially – for studying disease-relevant processes in pigs themselves, one of the world’s most important livestock species.

Organoids are miniaturized, tissue-specific structures derived from adult stem cells that reflect the architecture and function of their organ of origin. In our laboratory, organoids are cultivated from the small intestine (jejunum) and colon of pigs—including both commercial hybrid pigs and the traditional breed Bunte Bentheimer.

Research:

  • Establishment of porcine intestinal organoids (jejunum and colon)
  • Comparison of different genetic backgrounds using modern breeds and traditional domestic pig breeds
  • Further development into 2D models for the application of functional measurement techniques
  • Use of Ussing chamber technology to analyze barrier, secretion, and absorption processes
  • Infection models for enteropathogenic bacteria, e.g., Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
  • Analysis of genetic and functional responses of the epithelium under controlled conditions

Laufende Projekte

Ongoing projects

Integrated Organ-on-Chip and Digital Twin Platform for Systemic Assessment of Chemicals and Biomaterials

PhD-Project – Sarah Lüthje, M. Sc.

INTEGRA will establish a next-generation, animal-free platform for the systemic, physiology-informed safety and exposure assessment, combining integrated organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies, Digital Twin (DT) and AI tools. Current New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) model single organs or
weakly connected systems and do not adequately capture the dynamic interplay between gut absorption, liver metabolism, kidney clearance, barrier function, systemic redistribution, and distal effects on the brain. INTEGRA addresses this gap through a modular, physiology-based NAM linking gut,
brain, liver, and kidney modules in a recirculating microfluidic architecture with real-time sensing. The project will validate this framework using pesticides and advanced (nano)materials selected for their regulatory relevance significance.
INTEGRA follows a staged translational strategy. It will establish and validate standalone murine OoC modules and their single-organ DT, integrating them into a multi-organ murine platform benchmarked against targeted in vivo data. Thus, the project will develop a human multi-organ platform
based on iPSC-derived OoC modules, organoids, and 3D-bioprinted tissues, coupled to a human DT calibrated with project-generated multimodal data and anchored to biomarkers from exposed human cohorts. This approach will deliver predictive, mechanistically interpretable, and transferable tools for evidence integration and prioritisation.
Generating validated modules, reusable SOPs, benchmark datasets, FAIR data assets and uncertainty-aware DT workflows, INTEGRA will strengthen regulatory confidence, support faster and more human-relevant safety assessment, and contribute to reducing reliance on animal testing. Beyond its demonstration case, the platform is designed for broader use in chemical safety, biomaterials assessment, and preclinical research.

 

In vitro virulence monitoring of Brachyspira species in intestinal organoids of different pig breeds

PhD project – Masina Plenge, M.Sc.
This doctoral project aims to investigate the interaction of various Brachyspira strains with porcine intestinal organoids. Both pathogenic and less virulent isolates are tested, taking into account the genetic differences between pig breeds. The project contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of Brachyspira infections and helps identify new approaches to reduce antibiotic use in pig farming.

 

Impact of cultivation conditions and Brachyspira infections on gene expression and epithelial function in porcine colon organoids

Master’s Thesis – Felizitas Elma, B.Sc.
This master's thesis examines how different cultivation and interface conditions in a porcine colon organoid model affect epithelial responses to Brachyspira infections. The work lays an important foundation for standardizing physiologically relevant infection models.

Selected Publications:

  • Hoffmann P. et al. (2021). Intestinal organoid-based 2D monolayers mimic physiological and pathophysiological properties of the pig intestine. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256143
  • Benz P. et al. (2025). Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut. JOVE. DOI: 10.3791/67666
  • Plenge M. et al. (2025). Development and characterization of a 2D porcine colonic organoid model for studying intestinal physiology and barrier function. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312989

Cooperations

  • University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) – Institute for Microbiology
  • Hannover Medical School (MHH)
  • Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)

Additional national and international partners in the fields of zoonotic disease research, 3R models, and animal health 

Team

Contact

For scientific collaborations, project ideas, or questions about organoid research:
Pascal Benz, PhD
Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology, TiHo Hannover
✉ pascal.benz@tiho-hannover.de