Sneak peek: Human metabolism recreated in lab

BBC NEWS Health Human metabolism recreated in lab

Following from monkey-on-a-chip and brain-on-a-chip technology, scientists now claim they have captured a comprehensive closed-system model of human physiology. This tool could be very important for replacing some animal experiments.

"Study leader Professor Bernhard Palsson said the network could be used to see what would happen if a drug was used to target a specific metabolic reaction, such as the synthesis of cholesterol.

Or it could be used to predict what would happen if you interfere with a metabolic reaction in a specific type of cell, such as a blood or heart cell.

And eventually it could even be used to create an individual network for a person.

The announcement continues:

'The new tool we've created allows scientists to tinker with a virtual metabolic system in ways that were, until now, impossible, and to test the modelling predictions in real cells,' said Mr Palsson, who is professor of bioengineering and medicine. Study leader Professor Bernhard Palsson said the network could be used to see what would happen if a drug was used to target a specific metabolic reaction, such as the synthesis of cholesterol.

Or it could be used to predict what would happen if you interfere with a metabolic reaction in a specific type of cell, such as a blood or heart cell.

And eventually it could even be used to create an individual network for a person.
'The new tool we've created allows scientists to tinker with a virtual metabolic system in ways that were, until now, impossible, and to test the modelling predictions in real cells,' said Mr Palsson, who is professor of bioengineering and medicine. "