This year is very special for the µOrganoLab: On 23rd of March 2026, Peter Loskill and his excellent party planning team spared no effort to hold a memorable celebration marking the µOrganoLab’s 10th anniversary. The Neckawa brewery in Tübingen provided the perfect venue, where many former and current members gathered right by the Neckar to celebrate in a festive atmosphere filled with highlights throughout the evening!
The lab’s journey
When Peter went for his postdoctoral research in 2013 in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Kevin Healy, he immersed himself in the world of microphysiological systems (MPS) for the first time. Intrigued by these cutting-edge and promising human-relevant in vitro models, he decided to start his own tissue chip project and became a Fraunhofer IGB Attract group leader in Stuttgart in 2016.
As this still novel New Approach Methodology (NAM) gained momentum, more scientists became interested, leading to a rapid expansion of the group in terms of size, awards, and diversity of tissue models. After several relocations, we are now based at the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in Tübingen, hosting a diverse, international team of engineers and scientists across all career stages. With this key expertise in a rapidly evolving field, Peter also took the initiative to help found the 3R-Center Tübingen, aiming to define clear regulatory guidelines, offer training, and raise public awareness. This is where we stand today – making the celebration a perfect opportunity to bring people together and express our gratitude to everyone who has been part of the µOrganoLab’s journey.
Special guests, surprises, and fun activities
We were delighted to welcome so many people who made this celebration possible. A special part of the evening were the insightful and entertaining speeches given by Peter’s doctoral supervisor, Prof. Dr. Karin Jacobs from Saarland University, and Prof. Dr. Kevin Healy from UC Berkeley. They once more highlighted the long way and dedication required for sustained success, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary expertise and strong leadership in achieving high-quality scientific outcomes. This powerful combination and strong work ethic are something we can truly be proud of.
However, what would a birthday party be without presents, good food, and fun activities? Alumni Tengku Ibrahim Maulana, together with Svenja Wingerter and Lisa Lazarevski from the organization team, had the honor of presenting special gifts: a prestigious cup, a pair of lab sneakers, and water tattoos – of course, all personalized with our lab logo.
Alongside a delicious buffet, great music, and a photo challenge, we mingled, met new people, and enjoyed inspiring conversations. To capture lasting memories, guests could leave a message at the “wall of quotes”, sign the guest book and get creative in the photo booth.
Wrap up
This celebration was not only a wonderful reminder of what we have achieved so far, but also of the talented people who contributed along the way, and of the joy we share beyond our daily work. We are grateful to be part of such an outstanding and collaborative team, pushing boundaries together.
A big thank you to everyone who helped us reach this milestone – and hello to those who will shape the future of the µOrganoLab! We are excited to kick off the next decade of MPS innovation and to see what breakthroughs lie ahead.
