Anna Herland

Anna Herland's research focuses on developing microphysiological systems, known as Organ-on-Chip (OoC) models, to replicate human tissue environments. By leveraging expertise in stem cell engineering, particularly with human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), her team creates patient-specific in vitro models that closely mimic in vivo biological functions. These models are integrated with organic bioelectronics to enable real-time functional assessments. A significant aspect of her work involves constructing advanced models of the human neurovascular unit to study neuronal interactions, metabolic functions, and neuronal activity. These models are instrumental in evaluating drug biodistribution and cell-cell interactions, aiming to improve the understanding of the blood-brain barrier and its role in health and disease. Herland's interdisciplinary approach combines organic electronics, sensing technologies, and microfluidics to develop dynamic, nanoscale imaging techniques. Her contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Göran Gustafsson Foundation Award, and she has been named a Wallenberg Academy Fellow.
Herland's research has significant implications for drug development and personalized medicine, providing innovative platforms for studying complex biological systems.