Researchers develop 3D gut model to study blackhead and other diseases

By Jamie Martin

Blackhead disease is one of the most destructive threats to turkey production, with farms facing losses of up to 80% when outbreaks occur. The parasite attacks the turkey’s intestinal system and spreads quickly, making early prevention essential. Until recently, researchers lacked a dependable way to study the disease without relying on live birds.

A breakthrough at Texas A&M University has changed that. Researchers have successfully built the first 3D turkey cecal organoids, a lab-grown model that mimics the natural structure and function of turkey gut tissue. These organoids come from cecal crypt stem cells and develop into 3D structures similar to real intestinal lining, supporting digestion and immune activity.

The project was led by undergraduate student Leila Chang and poultry science expert Dr. Yuhua Farnell. After forming the organoids, they created a preservation method that allows the models to be frozen and reused. This innovation offers scientists a long-lasting, animal-free research system for studying turkey health.

The model is especially important because the turkey cecum is the main site of blackhead infection. Studying this area has always required live-bird trials, which are time-consuming and expensive. The new organoids allow researchers to test vaccines, medications, probiotics, feed ingredients and biosecurity strategies directly in the lab before moving to field trials.

Beyond blackhead disease, the organoids support research on the turkey microbiome, gut inflammation, nutrition and other intestinal infections. This speeds up discovery while reducing dependence on live animals.

For students like Chang, the project offers hands-on experience in cutting-edge poultry research. Her work highlights how scientific tools can strengthen food systems and improve animal health.

This new organoid model represents a major step forward in protecting turkey flocks, helping producers reduce losses and supporting continuous advancements in poultry science.

Photo Credit: istock-peopleImages