Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine
Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine

Unlocking Insights with Precision-cut Lung Slices

We evaluate therapeutic safety and efficacy in human lung tissue to generate early, translational proof-of-concept.

© Fraunhofer ITEM, Ralf Mohr

Platform Technology: Precision-cut Lung Slices

Precision-cut Lung Slices (PCLS) provide an immune-competent, fully human model that preserves the native lung’s complex three-dimensional architecture and cellular diversity. This physiologically relevant system enables the investigation of immune cell interactions, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic responses, supporting robust safety and efficacy assessment.

Pioneers in Precision-cut Lung Slices

With over two decades of experience and more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, we bring unparalleled expertise in PCLS preparation and application, making us a trusted partner in advanced lung research.

© Fraunhofer ITEM

Fresh Human Lung Tissue Directly from Surgery

We source lung tissue directly in collaboration with local hospital pathology departments, enabling immediate preparation post-surgery, from transplants or tumor resections, under strict ethical standards.

© Fraunhofer ITEM, Ralf Mohr

Expertise in Human Lung Preparation

Our team applies established preparation techniques to preserve lung structure and enable precise sectioning, ensuring high-quality samples for advanced respiratory research.

© Fraunhofer ITEM, Ralf Mohr

Extended Culture Viability

Our lung tissue slices can be cultivated for up to two weeks while preserving their native anatomy and immune reactivity.

© Fraunhofer ITEM, Ralf Mohr

Assess Therapeutic Safety and Efficacy

This enables detailed studies of various drug classes, including small molecules, cell therapies, antibodies and RNA therapies, and their effects on local immune and structural cells.

© Fraunhofer ITEM, Felix Schmitt

Maximizing Translational Relevance in Preclinical Research

This fully human model enables robust assessment of drug safety and efficacy, providing a strong foundation for translation into clinical application.

How to benefit from PCLS at Fraunhofer ITEM

© Fraunhofer ITEM

Modeling Complex Lung Diseases

From asthma and COPD to infections, tumors, and pulmonary fibrosis, PCLS enable detailed investigation of disease mechanisms. We work with progressively diseased tissue or induce disease-specific phenotypes in unaffected samples to study pathophysiology under controlled conditions.

Advancing Drug Development

Evaluate therapeutic safety and efficacy in human lung tissue to generate early, translational proof-of-concept data.

Harnessing Research Synergies

Located within Hannover Medical Park and integrated into the German Centre for Lung Research, we have direct access to high-quality, never-frozen human lung tissue from surgeries. This enables rapid procurement and optimized preparation in PCLS.

Reduce Animal Use

Human ex vivo lung tissue enables safety and efficacy testing in a fully human preclinical model, potentially lowering the number of animals required for GLP toxicity studies and supporting the 3R principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine) and latest EMA / FDA adaptions.

Investigate lung specific parameters in real-time

Assess airway contractility, inflammatory responses, viral replication, and fibrotic remodeling within a fully intact, functional human lung microenvironment.

Diseases

 
Our human, disease-relevant models for respiratory diseases: Test the safety and efficacy of your therapeutics, including small molecules, cell therapies, antibodies, and RNA therapies.
 

Technologies

 

Predictive platform technologies for safety and efficacy testing: 

 

Related applications

 

Precision-cut Slices of the intestine and liver: Our expertise is primarily based on research using lung tissue slices. More recently, we have also worked very successfully with precision-cut slices of the intestine and liver.

Feel free to contact us with your individual project!

Precision-cut lung slices: a valuable tool in drug development

Ex vivo lung explants – also known as precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) – are living, three-dimensional tissue sections that retain the full cellular complexity of the human lung. All relevant cell types are present, including epithelial and endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, mast cells, and nerve fibers. These cells remain biologically active, communicate with each other, and respond to targeted stimuli – providing a highly predictive model for lung research.