PERLAT: Advancing obesity research with a vascularized 3D adipose tissue model
In the European research project 3DPERLAT (3D perfusable living adipose tissue), partners from industry and academia are working together to create a vascularized and perfusable model of human adipose tissue. This novel in vitro system is designed to improve our understanding of the development of obesity and to enable a more objective evaluation of new therapeutic approaches.
Existing research models are largely based on animal experiments or static cell cultures and therefore fail to adequately capture the complex dynamics of human adipose tissue. PERLAT combines 3D bioprinting, innovative hydrogel materials, and a microfluidic bioreactor to investigate metabolic processes, inflammatory responses, and drug effects under physiologically relevant conditions.
The University of Stuttgart contributes its expertise in bioprinting and adipose tissue engineering, focusing on the development of vascularized adipose tissue constructs and suitable co-culture protocols. Through this work, the university makes a key contribution to establishing a new standard in obesity research.
PERLAT is carried out within an international consortium with partners from Norway (CELLHEAL AS), Germany (ibidi GmbH, University of Stuttgart), and Sweden (Karolinska Institutet). In the long term, the system is intended to become a research and drug screening platform for academic institutions and the pharmaceutical industry.
