[Press Release] Development of an Efficient Culture Method for Hepatocyte Organoids Retaining Metabolic Functions – A Promising Platform for Drug Discovery, Disease Research, and Regenerative Medicine
A research team led by Ryo Igarashi (Research Assistant, Metabolic Analysis Group), Mayumi Oda (Group Leader, Information Analysis Group), and Professor Toshiro Sato (Principal Investigator) has successfully established a culture method that enables human hepatocytes to proliferate while maintaining their original metabolic functions. Using this approach, the team generated miniature tissue structures known as hepatocyte organoids from primary human hepatocytes.
These hepatocyte organoids faithfully reproduced key functions such as drug metabolism and lipid metabolism in vitro, and also demonstrated the potential for application in regenerative medicine through cell transplantation.
Details of this study were published online in the journal Nature on April 16, 2025 (UK time). A press conference was held on April 15, 2025, in conjunction with the publication.
View the press release
Photos from the April 15, 2025 press conference
