Launch of the Imperial Centre for Intestinal Systems (CIS)

Join us for the official launch of the Imperial Centre for Intestinal Systems (CIS), a new, state-of-the-art facility accelerating human-relevant research in intestinal biology, IBD, host–microbiome interactions, organoids, and gut-on-chip technologies.

This full-day in-person event will bring together leading academics, clinicians, industry partners, funders, and technology developers to explore how CIS will support innovative research through advanced models, cross-platform workflows, and integrated training and services. A short overview of CIS with further background on the Centre and its capabilities is attached for more details.

Through keynote talks, technology demonstrations, a dedicated innovation showcase, networking opportunities, and optional lab tours, attendees will gain first insight into the Centre’s capabilities and how to access its resources.

Whether you work in organoids, gut-on-chip systems, microbiome research, or translational science, this launch marks an exciting opportunity to engage with the growing human-relevant intestinal research community at Imperial and beyond.

Detailed programme for the day:

09:30 - 10:00 - Arrival, registration and morning snacks with coffee

10:00 - 11:15 - Opening talks and addresses

Welcome and introduction:

• Dr Tamas Korcsmaros (Director of the Centre for Intestinal Systems)

Opening:

• Prof Graham Cooke (Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Medicine)
• Prof Phillip Bennett (Head of the Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction)
• Prof Nick Powell (Co-Lead of NIHR Imperial BRC Digestive Diseases Theme and Head of the Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology)
• Dr Katie Bates (Head of Research Funding at NC3Rs)

Scientific & Medical Need for the Centre:

• Prof George Hanna: Cancer diagnosis and the microbiome
• Dr James Kinross: Colorectal cancer and the microbiome
• Prof Gary Frost: Human-relevant models in nutrition research
• Prof Marc Dumas: Host-microbe interactions and pharmaco-microbiomics

• Dr Lynn Maslen (National Phenome Centre)
• Dr Benedikt Höbling (Drug Discovery Hub)

11:15 - 12:15 - Keynote Industrial Talks

• Dr Lorna Ewart (Chief Scientific Officer of Emulate)
• Dr YongTae Kim (Chief Executive Officer of MEPSGEN)

12:15 - 13:00 - Lunch

13:00 - 13:30 - Guest Scientific Lecture

• Dr Kaline Arnauts (KU Leuven, Belgium): Patient derived models to study host-microbiome interactions in inflammatory bowel diseases

13:30 - 14:55 - Innovation Showcase

Talks from STEMCELL Technologies, ProDigest, BiomimX, Dynamic42, LI-COR, MEPSGEN

14:55 - 15:00: Closing Remarks

15:00 - 17:00: Networking Reception

We are grateful to our Strategic Partner, MEPSGEN, and our Innovation Partners (BiomimX, Dynamic42, ProDigest, STEMCELL Technologies and LI-COR) for supporting the launch of CIS.