
IQ MPS
IQ Microphysiological Systems Affiliate
An Affiliate of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Drug Development

Technical Considerations for Experimental Design (Part I)
This session will cover the key components that should be considered when developing a MPS model, such as the context of use, and physical and biological inputs (including cells, matrices and media). Furthermore, the concept of good experimental design for MPS will be presented using a case study example.
Date & Time
Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM ET
Duration
90 minutes
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Jason Ekert, UCB Pharma
Rhiannon David, AstraZeneca
Considerations for MPS development: Cells
Jason Ekert, UCB Pharma
Considerations for MPS Development: Matrices, Scaffolds and Media
Rhiannon David, AstraZeneca
Experimental Design for MPS studies
Jonathan Cairns, AstraZeneca
Q&A
Moderators and Presenters
Jason Ekert
Head, US Discovery Translational Technology
UCB Pharma

Jason is responsible for the planning and directing of Complement biology and translational biology research, as well as seeking partnerships with research institutions and companies to remain on the leading edge of drug discovery. Before joining UCB he was Senior Director, GSK Fellow and Head of the Complex In Vitro Models (CIVM) group at GlaxoSmithKline. He was responsible for an integrated enterprise strategy for R&D applications of complex human-relevant and translatable complex in vitro models. He’s currently the past chair for the IQ-MPS affiliate and co-leads the regulatory sub-group for the IQ-MPS affiliate.

Rhiannon David
Director of Microphysiological Systems (Safety Assessment)
AstraZeneca
Rhiannon leads the development and integration of advanced cell models, including spheroids and MPS, to improve the human-translation of pre-clinical safety assessment. Prior to joining AZ, following completion of her PhD at the University of Birmingham, Rhiannon undertook postdoctoral research at Imperial College London where she developed an interest in novel techniques that would improve the in vivo relevance of in vitro assays. After joining AZ in 2015, Rhiannon led the development of a bone marrow MPS for improved pre-clinical safety assessment.

Jonathan Cairns
Principal Biostatistician
AstraZeneca
Specialising in high-throughput methods and omics, Jonathan studied for a PhD at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, in multi-omic analysis of p53's Mode of Action. Subsequently, he completed a postdoc at the Babraham Institute, centering around the identification of long-range gene regulatory events through Capture Hi-C data. At AstraZeneca, in addition to his work on the experimental design and analysis of Bone Marrow Microphysiological System data, he leads the Experimental Design for ‘Omics initiative, with a particular interest in single-cell methods.