Fig. 5. Engineering the niche.

Intestinal organoids grown in a patterned tubular matrix organize into a crypt-like structure akin to organoids, following the predefined architecture. Stem and progenitor cells (pink, Sox9+), as well as Paneth cells (light pink, Lysozyme+), are found in the crypt structures, whereas enterocytes (yellow, L-FABP+) are present towards the lumen. The integration into a microfluidic device allows the growth for extended periods of time. FABP, fatty-acid-binding protein. Adapted from ref.¹³⁹, Springer Nature Limited.