iCELL: Convergence in a dish
Individualized cellular models to better understand disease diversity and treatment response
Every person is biologically unique. Differences in genetics, environment and lifestyle influence why some people develop disease, how diseases progress and how individuals respond differently to treatment. Yet many existing disease models do not adequately capture this diversity, limiting the development of more precise and personalised healthcare approaches.
Human disease modelling has been transformed by the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): stem cells created from body cells such as skin or blood cells that can be grown into different types of human cells in the laboratory. While many existing iPSC studies are based on relatively small numbers of donors, recent technological developments now create opportunities for large-scale population-based cellular modelling. At the centre of iCELL (Individualized CELLular models) is the development of “Village-in-a-Dish” technology: cellular models in which cells from many individuals are studied together under the same controlled laboratory conditions. This allows researchers to better study why cells respond differently to disease-related processes, environmental factors or treatments.
Within the Convergence Health & Technology Flagship iCELL, researchers from Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam combine expertise in medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence and computational biology to explore how future precision medicine approaches can become more scalable and relevant for healthcare practice.
What the iCELL Flagship works on
iCELL develops large-scale cellular models to better understand biological diversity across populations. The Flagship combines stem cell biology, advanced imaging, biomaterials, machine learning and computational modelling to study how cells respond differently to disease-related processes and therapies.
Researchers use “Village-in-a-Dish” approaches in which cells from many individuals are grown and analysed together under standardized laboratory conditions. This enables researchers to investigate biological variation more systematically and efficiently than traditional single-donor cell models.
Current research focuses on proof-of-concept applications related to DNA damage repair and fibrosis, biological processes involved in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease and tissue degeneration.
Alongside technology development, the Flagship also explores potential healthcare applications, societal relevance and future implementation pathways through interdisciplinary collaboration, co-creation and health innovation activities.
Featured story
Building a village in a petri dish to comprehend diversity
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Why do some people respond differently to the same disease or treatment? And how can cellular technologies help us better understand those differences? In this featured interview, Prof. Joyce van Meurs explains how iCELL is developing “Village-in-a-Dish” technology to study biological diversity across populations using stem cells from many individuals simultaneously. The story provides insight into the scientific vision behind the Flagship, the interdisciplinary collaboration between Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the broader ambition to contribute to future precision medicine approaches. Read the interview/story. |
Innovation highlights
Village-in-a-Dish technology
iCELL develops cellular culture systems in which stem cells from many individuals can be studied together under identical laboratory conditions. This enables researchers to investigate biological diversity across populations at larger scale and under more controlled conditions.
Single-cell imaging and molecular profiling
The Flagship combines advanced imaging, single-cell sequencing and proteomics technologies to analyse cellular behaviour and molecular responses at high resolution.
Biomimetic cellular environments
Researchers develop laboratory environments that better mimic natural tissue conditions, including mechanical and biochemical properties relevant for processes such as fibrosis and tissue repair.
Computational modelling and AI
Machine learning and game-theoretical modelling approaches are used to analyse complex cellular data and explore links between genetics, cellular behaviour and disease susceptibility.
Co-creation and implementation pathways
The Flagship integrates health technology assessment, ethics and stakeholder involvement early in the development process to explore future healthcare applications and implementation considerations.
Flagship News: iCELL
Policy & societal impact
iCELL contributes to broader developments in precision medicine and personalised healthcare by developing technologies that help researchers better understand biological diversity between individuals. Potential future applications include improved disease modelling, treatment-response prediction and support for drug development research. The Flagship also addresses broader societal questions around responsible innovation, inclusion and future healthcare implementation. Through collaboration between biomedical researchers, engineers, ethicists and health economists, iCELL explores how emerging technologies can be developed responsibly and with attention to societal relevance and feasibility.
Partners & ecosystem
iCELL brings together researchers from Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam across fields including stem cell biology, genetics, imaging, biomaterials, artificial intelligence, computational biology, ethics and health economics. The Flagship also connects to broader national and international research infrastructures and external partners, including healthcare stakeholders, technology partners and organisations such as TNO and MIMETAS.
Education & talent development
Education and interdisciplinary talent development are integrated throughout the Flagship. iCELL supports bachelor, master and PhD research projects, interdisciplinary supervision and convergence-oriented teaching activities across Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Flagship also contributes to interdisciplinary learning environments in areas such as nanobiology, biomedical engineering and health innovation.
Looking ahead
In the coming years, iCELL aims to further develop and refine its cellular modelling platform and explore broader translational and research applications. The Flagship continues to build interdisciplinary collaborations, strengthen its research ecosystem and investigate how population-scale cellular technologies may contribute to future healthcare innovation and precision medicine research.
The long-term ambition is to create a scalable platform that can support researchers in studying disease diversity, treatment response and future applications in personalised medicine and drug development.
