Events

How do an engineer and a biologist understand each other?

The science section of the internet news medium DELFI has published an article and a video about the interdisciplinary research performed at the ISSP UL and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center (BMC).

A series of videos on how researchers from different fields cooperate to achieve common goals have been released by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. The videos are aimed at the school youth to show them the importance and diversity of science, show the achievements of Latvian scientists, promote interest in science and research as a possible career opportunity, and encourage the timely accumulation of the necessary knowledge and skills at school.

In the video, the leading researcher from ISSP UL’s Laboratory of Micro and Nanodevices Doctor of Engineering Science Roberts Rimša explains how the interdisciplinary collaboration in the development of the so-called “organs-on-chips” with the researcher from the BMC Doctor of Biology Artūrs Ābols started. Both researchers indicate that when the researchers from different fields of science work together, sometimes they have difficulties understanding each other because, although both speak the same language and use the same terms, the understanding of what exactly these terms mean may differ.

Researchers disclose that they have been brought together by a happy coincidence, which has allowed them to join forces in developing “organs-on-chips” – multi-channel 3-D microfluidic cell culture chips that simulate the activities, mechanics, and physiological response of entire organs and organ systems, a type of artificial organ. This technology allows studying cells under conditions like those in the human body.

Video with English subtitles is available here.

The article in Latvian is available here.

 

The video was developed with the support of ERDF project No.1.1.1.5 / 17 / I / 002 “Integrated national-level measures for strengthening interest representations for research and development of Latvia as part of the European Research Area”.

DELFI is the leading news medium that enjoys the most widespread trust in Latvia, and consequently, the most popular news portal, ranking amongst the most visited websites in Latvia, which offers news, analytical materials, entertainment, and advisory journalism on various multimedia platforms.