The Human Organoid Innovation Hub: Advancing Precision Medicine Through Human-Relevant Models

A Unique Resource in Canada and Beyond

What sets the HOIH apart is the breadth and versatility of its organoid models. “Organoids provide our researchers the ability to translate their findings into humans more quickly; accelerating the discovery of new therapies to treat Albertans and Canadians alike,” says Dr. Simon Hirota, PhD, co-director of HOIH. The hub offers both 3D and 2D systems, uses samples from mice, pigs and humans, and is the only facility in Canada with a biobank of more than 200 intestinal organoid lines from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and healthy volunteers.

As one of three national nodes in the Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON), HOIH provides high-quality patient-derived models and develops standardized assays that researchers can plug directly into their experiments. These tools complement traditional animal and cell-line approaches, offering a more accurate way to predict how the human body might respond to new drugs or therapies. As Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta, PhD notes, HOIH’s platforms “allow us to rigorously test biological questions that can’t be answered in vivo. This has significantly expanded both the scope and the precision of our mechanistic research.”

Driving Discovery and Innovation

Dr. Blanca Callejas, PhD, senior scientist, points out that "organoids are transforming both basic discovery and applied science, helping us connect fundamental mechanisms with real-world therapeutic impact.” Recent research supported by HOIH demonstrated that intestinal organoid cells can grow on a specialized substrate that mimics the natural structure of the human gut. This approach allows cells to differentiate quickly and reliably. Findings like these reinforce the power of human organoids as models while opening the door to new technologies and ways of studying human biology.

 

Training, Support and Expertise

HOIH doesn’t just provide models, it provides end-to-end support. Researchers who come to the hub receive guidance on experimental design, help selecting the right organoid model and hands-on training with standardized protocols. The team also assists with pilot and full-scale studies, helping researchers generate data for publications, grants and collaborations. As co-director Dr. Justin Chun, MD PhD, likes to put it, “it’s exciting to see the expanding services of the HOIH now supporting research using induced pluripotent stem cell–derived macrophages and cardiomyocytes. We are continuing to enhance our models with the goal of eventually supporting all organ systems."

One of HOIH’s most promising examples of patient-specific research involves a rare cystic fibrosis (CF) variant found in Alberta. In collaboration with clinicians at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and using advanced imaging tools from the LCI facility, HOIH grew intestinal organoids from a patient carrying this rare genetic variant.

This small but powerful finding suggests that this rare variant may respond to the drug in real patients. The results were strong enough to be presented at an international CF conference, demonstrating how HOIH’s models can directly inform clinical decision-making.

What’s Next for HOIH?

With global momentum behind New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that reduce animal testing, organoids are becoming central to biomedical research. Over the next five years, HOIH aims to grow its biobanks, expand its iPSC and CRISPR-engineered models and help shape a national framework for safer, more predictive research. Senior scientist Dr. Hyun Jae Chung, PhD, says “we are currently reprogramming blood cells from patients with IBD into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and generating iPSC-derived intestinal organoids to better model the disease and test potential therapies."

A Hub Driving the Future of Precision Medicine

From supporting breakthrough discoveries to shaping personalized treatment strategies, HOIH is reshaping what’s possible in chronic disease research. As Dr. Tim Shutt, PhD, says, “access to patient-derived organoids is very exciting and offers unique research opportunities.” By providing human-relevant models, comprehensive training and multidisciplinary expertise, HOIH is building a future where therapies are safer, more effective and tailored to each patient.