For years, scientists studying the human gut have relied on a material that most people would never expect: a jelly made from mouse tumors. Called Matrigel, the jelly is used to grow tiny, patient-derived versions of the intestine that help researchers understand disease, test new drugs and explore future therapies. However, because this material comes from animal tissue, it is unpredictable, difficult to control and limits medical applications.

A new study conducted by Georgia Tech researchers and partners from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania offers a promising alternative.