TNO (gastro-) Intestinal Models (“TIM”) is a system of models mimicking the digestive tract. The system was developed by TNO, the

Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (, abbreviated TNO, literally "Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research") is an independent statutory research organisation in the Netherlands that focuses on applied science ...

. The models are dynamic computer controlled multi-compartmental systems with adjustable parameters for the physiological conditions of the stomach and intestine. Temperature, peristalsis, bile secretion, secretion of saliva, stomach and pancreas enzymes are all fully adjustable. The TIM systems are being used to study the behavior of oral products during transit through the stomach, the small intestine and large intestine. Commonly performed studies concern the digestibility of food and food components, the bioaccessibility for absorption of pharmaceutical compounds, proteins, fat, minerals and (water- and fat-soluble) vitamins. There are different models for the stomach and small intestine (TIM-1 and Tiny-TIM) and a model simulating the physiological conditions of the colon (TIM-2). The TIM-1 system consists of a stomach compartment and 3 compartments for the

small intestine The small intestine or small bowel is an organ (anatomy), organ in the human gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal tract where most of the #Absorption, absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intes ...

, the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The Tiny-TIM system consists of a stomach compartment and one single compartment for the small intestine. Samples can be harvested for analysis from these models from any compartment at any time. TIM-2 simulates the colon, containing the

microbiota Microbiota are the range of microorganisms that may be commensal, mutualistic, or pathogenic found in and on all multicellular organisms, including plants. Microbiota include bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses, and have been found ...

as found in human colon. This model serves as a tool to study fermentation of non-digestible food components (fibers and prebiotics) and the release of drugs specifically targeted for the colon.Minekus, M., Smeets-Peeters, M.J.E., Bernalier, A., Marol-Bonnin, S., Havenaar, R., Marteau, P., Alric, M., Fonty, G., and Huis in ‘t Veld, J.H.J. (1999). "A computer-controlled system to simulate conditions of the large intestine with peristaltic mixing, water absorption and absorption of fermentation products." ''Appl. Microb. Biotechn.'' 53: p108-114.

References

External links

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Website of TNO Triskelion
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YouTube movie about TIM pharma

YouTube movie about TIM food and nutrition
Digestive system Drug discovery Alternatives_to_animal_testing