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

Monday, October 27, 2025
6:15 PM - 7:30 PM  PT
Room: SDCC 33

    Program Chair(s)

  • DM

    David H. McKenna, MD

    Professor
    Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School
    Saint Paul, Minnesota

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • DS

    David Stroncek, MD

    Chief, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Center for Cellular Engineering
    National Institutes of Health
    Bethesda, Maryland

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    • Speaker(s)

  • KC

    Katarina Cheng, MD

    Cell Therapy Fellow
    University of Minnesota

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • BO

    Brenda Olge, PhD

    Professor and Head
    University of Minnesota

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Janaina Sena Boyce, PhD

    Assistant Project Scientist
    UC San Diego

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • Priya Baraniak, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Chief Business Officer
    Pluristyx
    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 gain momentum. Organoids are also proving invaluable for high-throughput screening, accelerating drug discovery, and reducing dependence on animal models.

As these technologies move closer to clinical relevance, key questions arise: Can organoids be reproducible and standardized enough for drug development? Can they truly replace animal models? What are the ethical concerns as their complexity increases?
Attendees of this session 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