PATROLS project contributes to launch of non-animal 3D lung alveolar model

Researchers can now buy a first-of-its-kind human cell-based alveolar model to study the effects of chemicals and other substances on the deepest part of the lungs without forcing animals to inhale them.

The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. provided MatTek Life Sciences with funding to develop EpiAlveolar - a three-dimensional model composed of human cells from the lower respiratory tract (the alveolar region). On one of its sides, the tissue can be exposed to the test material in the air, and on the other, it receives nutrients from a blood-like liquid - similar to the workings of a human lung.

EpiAlveolar can be used to study the effects of inhaling different kinds of substances, such as chemicals, nanomaterials, pathogens, (e-)cigarette smoke, and other respirable materials, instead of conducting tests in which animals are confined to small tubes and forced to inhale them for hours or months before being killed.

Read the full press release HERE.....