Tweets by 2025 AABB Annual Meeting

Research and Progress (RAPS): Organoids in Research and Biotherapies: Promise, Progress, and Challenges

Monday, October 27, 2025

6:15 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Location: 33

Program Chair(s)

DM

David H. McKenna, MD

University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Disclosure information not submitted.
DS

David Stroncek, MD

National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD

Disclosure information not submitted.

Speaker(s)

KC

Katarina Cheng, MD

Cell Therapy Fellow
University of Minnesota

Disclosure information not submitted.
BO

Brenda Olge, PhD

Professor and Head
University of Minnesota

Disclosure information not submitted.
JB

Janaina Sena Boyce, PhD

Assistant Project Scientist
UC San Diego

Disclosure information not submitted.
Priya Baraniak, PhD (she/her/hers)

Chief Business Officer
OrganaBio
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Disclosure information not submitted.

Organoids—miniature, self-organizing 3D structures derived from stem cells—are transforming how we model biology, study disease, and develop therapies. These systems mimic tissue-level complexity, replicating the cellular diversity, architecture, and function of human organs. They offer an extraordinary opportunity to study biology and disease in ways not previously possible.

This session will explore the science behind organoids, highlight their applications in cardiac and neurologic repair, and examine their growing role in industry—especially as non-animal new approach methodologies (NAMs) gain momentum. Additional advantages include their use in high-throughput screening, drug discovery, and the potential to reduce reliance on animal models.

As these technologies move closer to clinical relevance, key questions arise: Are organoids reproducible and standardized enough for drug development? Can they truly replace animal models? Are there ethical concerns as their complexity increases?

Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of organoid science and engage in critical discussions about their promise, limitations, and role in translational research and biotherapies.

Session Outline:
1).

Overview: Biology, function, and research applications, including optimizing starting material and tissue collection/processing for downstream culture and manufacturing
2). Current Use Cases: Cardiac, neurologic, and regenerative applications
3). Industry Perspective: Technology landscape and adoption new approach methodologies
4). Panel and Audience Discussion