The Organoid Platform: Promises and Challenges as Tools in the Fight against COVID-19

Maarten H Geurts; Jelte van der Vaart; Joep Beumer; Hans Clevers

doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.11.009

The Organoid Platform: Promises and Challenges as Tools in the Fight against COVID-19

Stem Cell Reports. 2021 Mar 9;16(3):412-418. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.11.009.

Authors

Maarten H Geurts¹, Jelte van der Vaart¹, Joep Beumer², Hans Clevers³

Affiliations

¹ Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands.
² Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: j.beumer@hubrecht.eu.
³ Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: h.clevers@hubrecht.eu.

Abstract

Many pathogenic viruses that affect man display species specificity, limiting the use of animal models. Studying viral biology and identifying potential treatments therefore benefits from the development of in vitro cell systems that closely mimic human physiology. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, rapid scientific insights are of the utmost importance to limit its impact on public health and society. Organoids are emerging as versatile tools to progress the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology and to aid in the quest for novel treatments.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; organoid; virus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19 / virology*
Humans
Organoids / virology*
Pandemics / prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity