Maryna Panamarova’s presentation explored the recent progress and persistent challenges in scaling organoid technology, with a particular focus on vascularised induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived skin organoids. Panamarova began by outlining the rapid rise of complex cell models over the past fifteen years, noting a significant shift away from animal models as regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EMA increasingly support alternative approaches. She described the diversity of organoid systems, including primary and iPSC-derived organoids, coculture systems, assembloids, organ-on-chip platforms, and 3D bioprinted models, each offering varying degrees of biological complexity.
Despite these advances, Panamarova highlighted scalability as a major limitation for organoid technology. She identified several barriers: the field remains fragmented, with individual laboratories setting their own standards; organoids are inherently variable, a problem exacerbated by the use of animal-derived reagents; workflows are labour-intensive; and the sheer volume of data generated requires sophisticated processing. To address these issues, the community is moving towards standardised open-access resources, such as integrated transcriptomic atlases, and adopting animal-free reagents, which are now more widely available.
Automation is emerging as a crucial solution, though Panamarova noted that no universal system exists – customisation is essential for different organoid models. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence into data analysis workflows is also becoming more common, enhancing quality control and multiomic integration.
Focusing on skin organoids, Panamarova discussed the complexity of modelling skin in vitro, the limitations of existing 2D and tissue-engineered models, and the progress made by introducing stepwise modulation of iPSC clusters. However, she pointed out that current organoid models still lack certain cell populations, such as endothelium and immune cells, which are vital for accurate skin modelling.
To overcome upscaling challenges, Panamarova’s team implemented automation for media changes, developed bespoke equipment, and introduced early quality control checkpoints. Advanced imaging and computational analysis now enable more precise monitoring and assessment of organoid development. These innovations, she concluded, hold great promise for modelling skin function and disease, while also illustrating the concrete bottlenecks and solutions in scaling up organoid technology.
