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OtoRhino Research

Petkovic Lab

We Innovate For Better Tomorrow

Advancing disease knowledge & drug discovery at the same time

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Our human  Organ-on-a-chip platform is first of its kind

 

Human Inner Ear-on-a-Chip

 

​​The BLB (Blood-Labyrinth Barrier) Platform is a first-in-class organ-on-a-chip technology that replicates the human inner ear’s selective barrier. Built to close the gap between promising preclinical data and clinical success, our dynamic model empowers drug developers to test, refine, and de-risk compounds—long before they reach the clinic.

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Why it matters?
Most preclinical models miss the mark. By using human-derived cells and simulating real inner ear physiology, it brings clarity to complex drug behaviors—helping to fail early, or succeed faster.

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Key Benefits:

Human relevance

Built with primary human cells to closely simulate the inner ear’s BLB.

Advanced technology 

Patented dual-compartment chip supports up to 7 parallel experiments with automated handling. Standardized, recyclable design compatible with existing lab systems.

 

​Automated chip handling

Integrated system with environmental control for temperature and flow conditions, ensuring reproducibility and stability across experiments.

​​Customizable testing

Supports key assays like barrier permeability (FITC-dextran), cell toxicity (LDH), and barrier integrity (TEER), plus custom protocols including active transport, HPLC profiling, and ototoxicity testing.

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Our platform helps pharmaceutical developers de-risk early decisions, reduce costs, and accelerate the path to clinical success.

Leveraging our proprietary platform, we aim to develop the nasal chip entirely in-house as part of our expanding organ-on-a-chip portfolio​

Our Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

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Co-PI / Team Leader 

Prof. Dr. Vesna Petkovic

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Project Manager

Dr. Marijana Sekulic

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Bioengineer

Nina Chatelain

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Master student

Alina Korah

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    Master student

    Swethiny  Kobivasan

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      Biomedical analyst

      Radmila Trajanoska

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      Contact:

      Department of Biomedicine

      Hebelstrasse 20

      4031 Basel 

      Switzerland

       

      © 2025 OtoRhinoLab

       

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