Studying the Biliary Tree using Organoid-Technology

Cholangiocyte organoids have emerged as promising new model for studying the bile duct development, regeneration and diseases in vitro. In the studies presented in this thesis, the scientific organoid community was unified and the possibilities to translate in vitro knowledge to improve the outcome of patients with cholangiopathies in the clinic was explored. It was shown that cholangiocyte organoids are suitable for modeling biliary diseases and the importance of the local origin of cholangiocytes was described. In addition, the use of decellularized bile ducts provided the first proof-of-concept that these cells can be used for tissue engineering purposes of the human extrahepatic bile duct in vitro. These constructs have the potential to be successfully transplanted in humans. Together with the regenerative potential of cholangiocyte organoids, this thesis indicates that cholangiocyte organoids can contribute to overcoming the donor supply problem.