# Development of an immunocompetent colon chip to model Crohn's Disease

> **NIH DK R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2026 · $825,905

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of this proposal is to develop an ex vivo experimental platform to enable novel investigations into the
roles of the intestinal lumenal and basal microenvironment on the origins of Crohn's Disease (CD). CD is a
chronic, idiopathic inflammatory disease of the intestines whose incidence and prevalence are increasing in the
U.S. and globally. The disease has a disproportionate impact on the health and well-being of CD patients as well
as significant use of health care resources. CD is thought to result from a breakdown of immune tolerance due
to a compromised mucus hydrogel and/or epithelial cell barrier function early in the disease, allowing the
inappropriate ingress of lumenal microbiota and their metabolites into the basal tissue microenvironment. Prior
experimental models of CD are limited by the use of non-human or tumor cells that do not reflect human
intestinal physiology, organoid models that do not fully mimic tissue microarchitecture and cell organization,
or monolayer systems on stiff surfaces that lead to stem/proliferative cell loss and altered differentiated cell
properties. To resolve these limitations, an interdisciplinary collaboration with expertise in advanced
bioengineered intestinal platforms, immunology, and clinical gastroenterology has been formed to construct a
3D intestinal platform incorporating primary intestinal and immune cells to support a microenvironment that
correctly mimics the colon in health and Crohn’s disease. A physiologic patterned mucus hydrogel will act as a
protective barrier and lubricating surface along the lumenal epithelial cell surface. A magnetic fecal surrogate
comprised of cellulose and colonic bacteria will recreate the properties of colonic fecal material and its
biophysical and biochemical interactions with the lumenal epithelial surface. Collectively these advances in
tissue engineering of a humanized colon-on-chip will create an accurate biointerface to produce a powerful ex
viv

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11270566
- **Project number:** 1R01DK145521-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Nancy L. Allbritton
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** DK
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $825,905
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2026-03-06T00:00:00 → 2030-01-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11270566

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11270566, Development of an immunocompetent colon chip to model Crohn's Disease (1R01DK145521-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-19 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11270566. Licensed CC0.

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