Everything you need to know about organoids

Organoids are instrumental in improving our understanding of processes that are otherwise hidden inside the body. For instance, these small 3D organs can be used to test medicines on tissue grown from a patient’s own cells. AMOLF researchers carry out unique and complex experiments to follow organoids in time. In order to enable other researchers to benefit from their experiences, they now publish their methods in the prestigious journal Nature Protocols.

Like a recipe in a cookbook

While most publications are about new discoveries, the recent publication in Nature Protocols focuses entirely on providing a detailed account of the research methods used, the challenges encountered, and how they were overcome. Group leader Professor Jeroen van Zon (Quantitative Developmental Biology) compares the publication to a recipe in a cookbook. He says, “A recipe needs to carefully describe each step and make sure that people can easily follow the instructions correctly. With our publication we do the same thing.”

Illustration of developing intestinal organoids — Illustration of organoids developing over time

Organoids at AMOLF

Organoid researchers at AMOLF carry out experiments typically not found elsewhere. They specialize in tracking single cells in organoids and following them over long periods of time. This teaches them how a single cell behaves in the context of the organ that it is part of. Together with group leader Professor Sander Tans (Biophysics), Van Zon recognized the value of sharing knowledge that normally stays in the lab, and they decided to put in the effort to document the tips, tricks, and troubleshooting.

One of the challenges the AMOLF researchers encounter is keeping the organoids healthy. Over time, they figured out how to preserve and handle them, how to position them effectively under the microscope, and how to make sure they are not damaged during microscopy imaging. All of this knowledge is now accessible to other organoid researchers.

Learn more

If you have any questions about this research, please contact group leaders Jeroen van Zon (email: J.v.Zon@amolf.nl) and Sander Tans (email: S.Tans@amolf.nl).

The paper, titled “Quantitative imaging of dynamic processes in intestinal organoids,” was published in the journal Nature Protocols on September 15, 2026.

What's happening

Most recent news items

All news items

People and recognition

Four PhD candidates close their AMOLF chapter

Four PhD students defended their thesis and are about to take the next steps in their career. Congratulations to Colin Meulblok (Mechanical Metamaterials), Francesca Scalerandi (Hybrid Nanosystems), Vashist Gangigude Ramesh (Interacting Photons), and Parisa Omidvar (Hypersmart Matter). We wish you all the best in your next steps!

Read news item

People and recognition

Joining forces to study perovskite interfaces

AMOLF group leaders Professor Wiebke Albrecht and Professor Bruno Ehrler have received an NWO ENW-M2 grant for their joint research project, The Dynamic Atomic Interface between Halide Perovskites and Metals. The insights gained will pave the way for sustainable, high-performance solar energy and information technology. Wiebke and Bruno will each hire a PhD student for this project. The grant amounts to €800.000.

Read news item

People and recognition

Wim Noorduin and Arian van Asten presenting their scientific journey

On October 8, Professor Wim Noorduin and his collaborator Professor Arian van Asten (University of Amsterdam) presented their scientific journey in a video to the audience at the ‘Avond van Wetenschap en Maatschappij’. They did so alongside the other nominees for the Huibregtsen Prize.

Read news item

Research highlights

Natural phenomena ‘hyperuniform disorder’ enables highly efficient, thin silicon solar cells

Silicon solar panels are rigid and heavy, and many rooftops cannot support them. This creates a need for thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into building materials. However, making silicon solar cells thinner makes it harder to trap light inside the material. Researchers in the 3D Photovoltaics group found a fascinating way to overcome this challenge using a phenomenon called hyperuniform disorder. They publish their findings in the journal ACS Photonics.

The researchers were able to make highly efficient silicon solar cell materials that are 30 times thinner than conventional ones. They managed to do this by integrating a layer of nanometer sized structures on top of the material. Up close, this pattern looks random, but it is remarkably when you step back: no clumps, no gaps, and no repeating pattern. This is called hyperuniform disorder (or HUD).

Read news item