Place the template
A sacrificial template is placed in the chip. Cells can be grown on its surface beforehand, or seeded later.
Simplicity for the organ-on-a-chip revolution
Vascularized tissue models, in the chip you already use
FiberCyte builds perfusable, blood-vessel-like channel networks inside hydrogels: capillary-scale, cell-lined, and imaging-compatible. No bioprinter, no new equipment.
~20 µm
Cell-lined perfusable lumen, at true capillary scale.
5+
Hydrogel matrices supported, not locked to one gel.
3
Steps from template to perfusable channel.
The problem
Real tissue is vascularized. Most models are not.
Building complex 3D tissue models is slow, expensive and limited in resolution. Bioprinting, today's go-to for microvascular networks and nerve guides, struggles the moment living cells are involved, demanding extensive optimization and costly equipment.
Without a simpler way to form perfusable, cell-lined channels inside hydrogels, organ-on-a-chip models stay too simple to faithfully replicate human tissue.
What FiberCyte does
The template disappears. The channel remains.
FiberCyte forms perfusable channel networks inside hydrogels without a printer. A sacrificial template defines the geometry, cells line the channels, and other cell types populate the surrounding gel.
Cells can grow directly on the template before embedding, or be seeded later. The template is then removed under mild conditions in minutes, leaving cell-lined, perfusable channels behind.
No toxic solvents. No cell damage. No new equipment. It works in the chips you already run.
How it works
Three steps, no specialized hardware
No printer, no post-seeding, no pre-treatment.
Embed in hydrogel
Hydrogel containing your cells is cast around the template and crosslinked, locking the geometry in place.
Remove the template
The template is removed under mild conditions in minutes. What remains is a clean, cell-lined, perfusable channel.
Demonstrated
What has been built with it
Across physiologically relevant tissue models, at advanced proof-of-concept stage.
01
Blood-brain barrier
Endothelial cells and astrocytes in physiologically correct geometry.
02
Perfused microvasculature
Endothelial-lined channels with supporting stromal cells.
03
Nerve outgrowth
Schwann-cell conduits guiding human axon growth across channels.
04
Innervated organoids
Endometriosis organoids reached and innervated through the channels.
05
Branched networks
Multi-branch architectures, not just single straight channels.
06
Automated handling
Proof-of-concept on an industrial partner's robotic system.
Who it's for
If you need perfusable 3D architecture inside your chip
If a ball of cells is enough, we are not the choice. If it is not, we are the accessible route.
Pharma & biotech
Drug screening and preclinical testing with more predictive human models.
Academic researchers
Disease modeling, tissue microenvironment studies and innervation, in a reproducible format.
Organ-on-chip manufacturers
Integrate with existing chips to enable richer hydrogel architectures.
About
A spin-out in formation at Maastricht University
We work with academic and industrial partners to bring perfusable 3D models into standard organ-on-chip workflows.
FiberCyte is being developed at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University.
- Development stage
- Advanced proof-of-concept, moving toward integration into an industrial partner's chip.
Working with early partners
Let's build better tissue models together
We're accepting pilot collaborations with pharma, biotech, academic and organ-on-chip teams.
Get in touchNot ready for a pilot? We're also running short conversations with people building 3D models today: 20 minutes, no pitch. Happy to talk.