J. R. Spence

Nascent matrix deposition supports alveolar organoid formation from aggregates in synthetic hydrogels

This study develops a Matrigel-free method using synthetic hydrogels to form alveolar organoids, showing they secrete their own extracellular matrix for growth.

Development of robust antiviral assays using relevant apical-out human airway organoids

This paper develops AORBs, a high-throughput human airway organoid system, to robustly assess antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 with high throughput and clinical relevance.

An integrated transcriptomic cell atlas of human endoderm-derived organoids

This paper creates a human endoderm organoid cell atlas by integrating single-cell transcriptomes from multiple organoid types to compare cell states with primary tissues and disease models.

Coordinated differentiation of human intestinal organoids with functional enteric neurons and vasculature

This study develops an in vitro method to generate human intestinal organoids containing multiple cell types, including neurons, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle, which functionally mimic gut physiology.

TGFB1 Induces Fetal Reprogramming and Enhances Intestinal Regeneration

This study identifies TGFB1 as a key driver of fetal reprogramming and intestinal regeneration, showing its role in enhancing epithelial repair through a YAP-SOX9 transcriptional circuit.

Smart squirrels use a mortise-tenon structure to fix nuts on understory twigs

The paper describes how two species of flying squirrels in Hainan Island use a mortise-tenon structure to securely cache nuts on twigs to deter predation and ensure food supply.

Neutrophils prime unique transcriptional responses in intestinal organoids during infection with nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica serovars

This study investigates how human neutrophils modulate host responses to two nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars using intestinal organoids and transcriptomics.

Maturation of human intestinal epithelium from pluripotency in vitro

This study develops an in vitro protocol to generate mature human intestinal epithelium from pluripotent stem cells using NRG1 and single-cell transcriptomics.

A Human Liver Organoid Screening Platform for DILI Risk Prediction

This study evaluates human liver organoids for DILI risk prediction using high-throughput screening and a liver-on-chip system, showing enhanced predictive capacity and physiological relevance.

Morphological Cell Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Identifies Drug Repurposing Candidates for COVID-19

This study identifies 17 FDA-approved compounds with antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 using high-throughput screening and finds lactoferrin as a promising drug candidate with multiple antiviral mechanisms.

In vitro models of the human esophagus reveal ancestrally diverse response to injury

The paper develops an in vitro model of the human esophagus to study ancestral differences in response to bile acid injury, finding significant differences between European American and African American-derived cells.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Induces Enteroendocrine Cell Differentiation of Intestinal Stem Cells Through Farnesoid X Receptor Activation

This study shows vertical sleeve gastrectomy increases enteroendocrine cells via FXR activation in intestinal stem cells, using RNAseq and organoid experiments.

Comparative transcriptional profiling of the early host response to infection by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in human intestinal organoids

This study compares host transcriptional responses to typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in human intestinal organoids, revealing distinct gene expression patterns and immune responses.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SPI-1 and SPI-2 shape the transcriptional landscape of epithelial cells in a human intestinal organoid model system

This study uses human intestinal organoids to investigate how Salmonella SPI-1 and SPI-2 T3SSs influence host transcriptional responses during infection, revealing distinct and overlapping roles in inflammation and cell cycle suppression.

Loss of RpoS results in attenuated Escherichia coli colonization of human intestinal organoids and a competitive disadvantage within the germ-free mouse intestine

This study shows that E. coli lacking RpoS has reduced colonization ability in human intestinal organoids but not in germ-free mice, indicating different stress environments in these models.

Differentiation of Human Colon Tissue In Culture: Effects of calcium on trans-epithelial electrical resistance and tissue cohesive properties

This study examines how calcium levels affect colonoid tissue barrier function and cohesion, finding that low calcium supports permeability barriers while higher levels enhance tissue cohesion.

Human lung organoids develop into adult airway-like structures directed by physico-chemical biomaterial properties

This study shows that human lung organoids mature into airway-like structures when cultured on specific biomaterial scaffolds, with properties like pore interconnectivity and degradation rate influencing maturation and structure.

Identification, Isolation, and Characterization of Human LGR5-positive Colon Adenoma Cells

The paper isolates and characterizes LGR5-positive cells from human colon adenomas using organoids and RNA-sequencing, identifying correlations with CRC-specific genes.