Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation received a $492,250 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for a 24-month project period running from February 2, 2026 through January 31, 2028. The institute will develop a vascularized porcine liver on-a-chip (VPLOC) platform designed to model human xenoimmune responses to porcine liver xenografts. This innovative microfluidic device will replicate physiological pig liver tissue structures and functions, including a functional microvasculature, to advance understanding of xenogeneic rejection mechanisms—including hyperacute rejection, acute vascular rejection, and chronic rejection—that currently limit porcine liver xenotransplantation survival rates.

The primary deliverable is a technological platform capable of serving as an alternative to existing preclinical models such as non-human primate studies, ex vivo perfusion systems, and two-dimensional in vitro co-culture models. By creating a more physiologically relevant human-compatible testing environment with reduced costs and improved clinical translational potential, the project addresses a significant gap in xenotransplantation research. This work supports the broader public health objective of expanding viable organ donation options for patients with end-stage liver disease, where xenotransplantation could address the critical shortage of human donor organs.